We recently completed some training over at Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. We are super thankful to Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Command Staff for giving us the opportunity to look over their shoulder and see how they handle some of the major processes in their county.

Make sure you check out the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website and leave nice comment thanking them for their service.

Here’s an interesting piece of information I found on their website regarding the history of Douglas County.

“Douglas County was officially created by the Territorial Legislature in 1861. At that time, it extended eastward to the Kansas line and included all of the present counties of Elbert and Kit Carson, as well as portions of Lincoln and Cheyenne counties. Frankstown, named for James Frank Gardner and known today as Franktown, was declared the first county seat. Charles F. Parkhurst was elected the first sheriff of Douglas County in 1862.
In 1864, James Frank Gardner bought the California Ranch and 155 acres around it. The ranch was located immediately south of Frankstown. Gardner built a hotel, post office, general store, stage line office, and his residence on the California Ranch, and it quickly became a major way station on the Santa Fe-Denver stage line. The California Ranch also became the hub of activity in Douglas County and served as a refuge for neighbors from Indian attacks. Later that year, the county records and government business moved from Frankstown proper to the California Ranch.
The first courtroom was built on the California Ranch in 1867, and the first District Court assembled in Douglas County met there with Judge Christian S. Eyster presiding. A small jail building stood in the fields, facing the hotel. By the early 1870’s, Frankstown had reached its peak development. As many as 100 stage teams per day passed the California Ranch on their way along the Territorial Road. But on February 2, 1874, a momentous legislation was passed, dividing Douglas County into Douglas and Elbert Counties. Under the new law, Douglas County took on its present day boundaries, while Elbert County was to be divided again in 1887. Eleven days later, the legislature granted the county commissioners the authority to move the
Douglas County seat.”

https://dcsheriff.net/sheriffs-office/history

You can also download the history as a PDF. Maybe one day we’ll have a Dutch Berry history PDF for download on our website as well.

Although they don’t have a place for you to buy Douglas County Sheriff’s Office coffee mugs like we do, one of the office staff gave me one as a souvenir for my visit. I think my coffee mug collection from other Sheriff’s Offices will be a great addition to the museum one day 😀

Don’t forget, we have our souvenir Dutch Berry Sheriff’s Office coffee mugs too! I’ll have to send one over to Douglas County as a big Thank You from Dutch Berry.