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HISTORIC DESTINATION OF THE MONTH

Colorado Mining Towns

150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold!

The first major gold strike in Colorado was made in early 1859 in Idaho Springs, west of Denver. Then, in May of 1859 John Gregory struck a bonanza of gold in a gulch in the mountains near Central City, a few miles west of Denver. This area came to be known as “The Richest Square Mile on Earth.”  Later that same year gold was discovered in Breckenridge and in the South Park area.

Harrison Street Victorian

(Vintage Traveler Photo)

Summer is the best time to visit the Rockies to discover the historical wealth of these mining towns.  The weather is at its best and the museums and tourist activities are open.  There are many celebration events planned.

Central City

This was the site of Colorado’s first major gold strike.  John Gregory found gold in May of 1859 (known as the “Gregory Lode”) in a gulch named after him.  News got out and within two months the town grew to 10,000. The prospectors slept in tents and cooked and ate in the open air.  Here are some of the things to do today:

• Visit the shops on the historic Victorian Main Street
• Take a guided tour of the Central City Opera House on Eureka Street, which includes a tour of the Teller House Hotel next door. 
• Visit the Gilpin History Museum.

Georgetown

George and David Griffith migrated to Colorado in 1859 from Kentucky in search of gold. George tried his luck in the box canyon area which he called “George’s Town” but found only a small amount of gold.  The next year the Griffith brothers returned with their families to the area and claimed the Georgetown valley as their homestead. 

In 1864 an abundance of silver was discovered three miles up the hill from Georgetown in what is known today as Silver Plume. The whole area was soon swarming with prospectors and new silver strikes were made on a regular basis.  Georgetown soon became known as “The Silver Queen of the Rockies.”  This town was different from other mining towns. Instead of building shacks, the early miners built Gothic-style Victorian houses and brought their families to be with them.

• Stop at the Visitor Center and pick up a walking tour map of the town viewing the Victorian houses.
• Visit the shops on 6th Street.
• Ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad.
• Tour the Hamill House, 305 Argentine Street. 
• Tour the Hotel de Paris, 409 - 6th Street. 

Breckenridge 

Gold was discovered here in 1859.

• Stop at the Information Center at 309 N. Main Street and pick up a map of the area and a historic district self-guided walking tour brochure.
• Take a self-guided walking tour through the historic district and visit shops in historic buildings.

Leadville

Gold was discovered here in 1860 but the bonanza was short-lived.  In 1875 silver was discovered which ushered in a boom that lasted until 1889.  Huge fortunes were realized.

• Stop at the Visitor Center in Leadville, just as you come in to town, at 809 Harrison. View the media presentation and pick up a map of the area.
• Tour the Healy House & Dexter Cabin, 912 Harrison. 
• Visit the Heritage Museum, 9th Street & Harrison Avenue. 
• View the Victorian houses on 9th Street (west of Harrison). 
• Tour the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum, 120 W. 9th St. 
• Walk up 7th Street and view the Victorian cottages and the historic Annunciation Catholic Church at 7th & Poplar. 
• Tour the Tabor Home, located at 116 E. 5th Street. 
• Visit the Tabor Opera House, 308 Harrison Avenue. 
• Rent bikes at Bill’s Sport Shop (225 Harrison Avenue) and ride the Mineral Belt Trail.
• Take the historic Guided Surrey Ride. Call 719-486-4570. 
• Go on the Leadville, Colorado & South Railroad train ride (Allow 2 ½ hours). Call 1-866-386-3936 for information and reservations. 
• Tour the Matchless Mine. 
• Take the Route of the Silver Kings self-guided auto tour.  Drive to old mine sites, “Stump Town,” and past mining relics. 

For more information go to:

• Central City - http://www.centralcitycolorado.com/history.php
• Georgetown - http://www.historicgeorgetown.org/ or http://www.town.georgetown.co.us/ or http://www.georgetowncolorado.com/attractions.htm
• Georgetown Loop Railroad - http://www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/Georgetown/G_loop.htm
• Breckenridge - http://www.gobreck.com/thetown/history/ or http://www.summithistorical.org/
• Leadville - http://www.leadville.com/