Details For Cover ID# 30397

Auraria, K.T. July 11th/59. Two line manuscript postmark ties 1857 3¢ adhesive on cover to Illinois.

This cover was carried by the first contract trip of the United States Express Company which carried mail from July 11 until August 26, 1859; the following year Auraria was unified with Denver City on April 5, 1860.

ONE OF ONLY 5 RECORDED AURARIA, KANSAS TERRITORY MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK USES.

On October 3, 1858, a group of prospectors arrived from Georgia led by. Green Russell. They soon established the town site of Auraria located on the south bank of Cherry Creek. Henry Allen surveyed the Auraria town site and was elected the first president. Just one month later a group arrived from Kansas led by William Larimer established Denver City located on higher ground above the river, and became the trading center of the area later merging with Auraria. The Auraria post office was established on January 18, 1859, but the first contract mails were not carried until June 18, 1859. The United States Express Company carried the eastbound mail, however, the company failed after a short time discontinuing service on August 26, 1859.

Ex Persson, Chow, Milgram