Full Guide

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Inside the Guide...
Gold Belt Tour
G
old! Few words can change the character of an entire region like the
cry of gold fever. Gold was discovered here in 1890; the fever
spread like wildfire, bringing thousands to the Pikes Peak region.
Prospectors Bob Womack and Winfield Scott Stratton discovered the gold
ore that touched off the legendary Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Rush.
The ranching country on Pikes Peak's western slopes was quickly transformed as thousands flocked to the area to seek their fortunes. Towns
sprang up on the sunny mountainsides as did over 500 gold mines, all
requiring fuel, supplies, transportation, and a large supply of labor.
It became a priority to link the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District
to places beyond. Two stage roads and three railroads were built to carry
lumber, food, coal, ore, and people to and from the mining district towns.
Now the towns are linked with a shuttle service - park in one town at your
hotel and ride the Gold Camp Connector to the other to hike and shop.
Some of the historic rail routes comprise the segments of a grand loop
of back country adventure called the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway (see
map on page 10), while other historic routes offer even more opportunities to explore the 1890’s connections to the mining camp.
he Gold Belt is an adventure in history. The northern part is
Colorado’s Gold Country - the famous Cripple Creek & Victor Gold
Mining District, The World’s Greatest Gold Camp. The Golden Loop, a side
tour of the Gold Belt, offers an up-close look at the 1890’s mining
structures via The Trails of Gold, scenic drives, mountaintop overlooks,
mining exhibits, and museums. It is a perfect outing for a day or a
week - an experience that will create a lifetime of memories.
Along the scenic routes are historic and modern mining operations,
remnants of railroads, active ranching, as well as Cripple Creek and Victor.
Venture off the beaten track - pan for gold, tour a modern and a historic
gold mine, take in a live theatrical performance, or experience a special
event. At the end of the day, find one of our historic inns and hotels for a
home away from home for your Colorado’s Gold Country vacation.
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Trails of Gold Map
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Dinosaurs/Fossils
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Events
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Emergency Information
Fishing
Gambling
Gold Belt Routes & Gold Camp Road
Ice Rink
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Lodging
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Modern Mining
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Mine Tours
Museums
Shuttle Website Info
Theater
Train Ride
Cripple Creek
Victor
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Thanks to our advertisers for their support and to our contributors for their
content. This guide is a product of ZStudios, POB 244, Victor, CO 80860. This guide
and more information available online at VictorColorado.com. All contents copyright
April 2016 ZStudios, Victor, CO. To order guides, email [email protected].
H
ike through time on a
series of trails that winds
through the mining district’s
backcountry. The Trails of Gold
and several historic sites offer
up-close looks at the remnants of the 1890’s gold rush
legacy as well as the active
modern mining activities, ranching, and old town sites.
ost of the trails are open to foot, horse, and bicycle traffic in summer,
and skiing and snowshoeing in winter. See trailhead information or
VictorColorado.com for details. No motorized traffic is allowed on the trails.
You can access most all of the Victor side trails from downtown Victor or the
Battle Mountain Kiosk just east of town. Cripple Creek trails are accessed
from the Cripple Creek District Museum area; you can also use the city shuttle service to get back and forth between the two towns.
he Southern Teller County Focus Group and the Cripple Creek & Victor
Gold Mining Company have created this series of trails that lead you
through the wealth of gold mining that made Victor and Cripple Creek
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famous. Visitors - please
remember you are crossing
private land and must stay on
the trails for your safety; do
not enter open mine shafts or
historic structures.
he trails are through
mountain terrain at elevations of 9,500 to 10,500 feet above sea level. Dress appropriately for
mountain weather and bring a hat, sunscreen and a jacket in case of a
shower. Some trails are remote and rugged and wildlife may be present;
please respect their natural territory.
ccess to the Theresa, Vindicator and Independence mines are handicap
accessible. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are best in February
to mid-April. There are no services at the trails; no camping or overnight
parking is allowed. These are dog-friendly trails, but please keep pets under
your control and remove from the trail any messes they make.
here are GPS trail maps located at trail heads and on line at
VictorColorado.com.
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Historic Sites
1. Gillett
2. Goldfield
3. American Eagles
4. Independence Mine &
Cresson Ore Sorting House
5. Independence Mill site &
Stratton Outdoor Amphitheater
6. Cresson Headframe
7.. Gold Coin Mine
8. Battle Mountain. kiosk
9. Victor Lowell Thomas Museum
10. Sunnyside Cemetery
11. Mollie kathleen Mine
12. Cripple Creek Heritage Center
13. Poverty Gulch
14. Mt. Pisgah Cemetery
15. Cripple Creek District Museum
16. Old Homestead House Museum
17. Outlaws & lawmen Jail Museum
18. Victor Gold Camp Ag & Mining Museum
19. Rittenhouse Headframe
20. Fire Station Three
trails
21. Vindicator Valley Trail
22. Battle Mountain. Trail
23. Independence Mill site Trail
24. Golden Circle Trail
25. Little Grouse Mountain. Trail
26. Little Grouse Loop
27. Gold Camp Trail
28. Victor Downtown
Walking Trail
29. Sunnyside Trail
30. Lawrence Trail
The Gold Camp Connector Shuttle Service provides transportation between
Cripple Creek & Victor. See CityofVictor.com for information.
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W
arren, Harry, and Frank Woods came to Victor in
1892. Warren Woods, the father, was born in
1834 in Ohio and was president of most of the Woods’
enterprises. The Woods purchased the Mount Rosa
Placer and incorporated the Mt. Rosa Mining, Milling,
and Land Company January 9, 1892. The area was
platted into lots, and the investment paid off - the 137
acres of Victor on the side of Battle Mountain netted
the Woods over $50,000 by 1895.
Victor was named after one of the town’s first pioneers and ranchers, Victor Adams.
According to family members, the
townsmen decided to draw names
from a hat to select the town’s
name. Adams, who lived in Victor
long before it became a gold mining town, was the lucky draw.
By the time the town was platted
in 1893, it was already known as
the City of Mines because the largest
and richest gold mines of the Cripple
Victor Adams Creek and Victor Mining District
Courtesy Victor Lowell were located just above Victor on
Thomas Museum
Battle Mountain. While Cripple
Creek claimed the glory of a wealthy gold camp,
nearby Victor and its environs played the biggest role
in the production of the nearly $434,000,000 in gold
(in 1890’s value). In the spring of 1894, the town was
officially incorporated and the first town council was
elected in July of that year. Bruce Barger was the first
mayor and he was assisted in governing the town by
six trustees. March 3, 1898, Victor became a statutory
city in Colorado. By then the town had a population of
8,000 residents. In August of 1899 the downtown
burned and was rebuilt in brick.
V
ictor is a quiet, historic mining town
full of character and adventure at
nearly 10,000 feet on the southwest side
of Pikes Peak. The 1890's gold mining
town architecture, the sunny days, mountain air, and friendly small-town atmosphere provides an opportunity to escape
the city life while enjoying the comforts of
home. Several of the 1899 brick buildings
still line the historic streets.
oday's Victor is a quiet mountain getaway along the Gold Belt National
Scenic Byway, with over 300 days of sunshine each year. The downtown has undergone a major renewal with sidewalks, an
event plaza, and restored facades. Stop in
local shops to find antiques, see broom
and tinware making, and visit the local art
galleries, enjoy several eateries, including
a German bakery and an old-fashioned
soda fountain. The annual Gold Rush Days,
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Gem and Mineral Show, Christmas events,
modern mine tours, gold panning, and
hiking trails round out the fun.
he Gold Camp Connector Shuttle
makes it possible to easily get from
Cripple Creek to Victor and back.
he town’s visitor center is located on
east Victor Avenue. For more information, visit VictorColorado.com.
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uly 4, 1891, above what as to be the town of Victor, Winfield
Scott Stratton staked claims to the Independence and
Washington mines. The news that Stratton, an itinerant carpenter
known for his persistent prospecting, could find a paying gold
mine gave life to the gold rush. He developed the
Independence Mine as well as several other claims and
was known as an eccentric, although a very generous one.
Stratton died before he could prove his theory of the Bowl
of Gold, a formation of pure metal in the shape of wine
goblet. But his other theory, “Gold is worth more IN the
ground than out,” proved to be ever so true when he later sold
the Independence for $11,000,000, making him the first millionaire in the district. Stratton’s Independence Mine and Mill Site
can be seen above Victor and is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. The Mill Site and Mine have been developed into an historic site with interpretive signs, and an outdoor amphitheater carrying his name.
Fourth Annual Gem & Mineral Show
Colorado mineral specimens, jewelry, gems, and fossils will be on
display and for sale June 17-19 for Victor’s Fourth Annual Gem &
Mineral Show. Meet the stars of the Prospectors TV show who will be
on hand to sell their Colorado-dug minerals. Vendors will be located
in downtown Victor near the Elks Lodge on North Third Street. Kids
can try their hand at gold panning. See VictorColorado.com for events
planned during the show. The event is sponsored by the Southern
Teller County Focus Group, a local non-profit with a mission of historic preservation, community development, and mining education,
support from the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company, and
the City of Victor.
Victor Gold rush Days Celebration
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old Rush Days started in 1895 as the “World Celebration” in
honor of the town's incorporation as a city on July 16, 1894.
The Miners Reunion continued until 1899 when a fire destroyed
most of downtown Victor and some of the surrounding residential
areas. Following the fire, the next celebration was in 1904 when the
Ringling Brothers was the featured attraction with their “big top” at
the corner of Fourth Street and Victor Avenue. After WWII the name
changed to Gold Rush Days and has continued uninterrupted since.
A few of the events planned for the weekend are listed below. See
VictorColorado.com and CityofVictor.com for an updated schedule
of events being planned.
Friday, July 15 - Street Vendors; Gold Panning; CCV Mine Tours;
Chili Dinner at the Elks Lodge; Street Dance and Beer Garden;
Victorian Olio, and lots more!
Saturday, July 16 - Pancake Breakfast; Street Vendors; Mining
Games; Gold Panning; CCV Mine Tours; Historic Home and Building
Tours; Tractor Pull; Vintage Baseball Game, Old-fashioned Kids
games, Evening Reunion Dance at the Elks.
Sunday, July 17 - Pancake Breakfast; CCV Mine Tours; Gold
Panning; Tractor Pull; Noon Parade and Ugly Truck Competition.
JET Service
Auto
Repair &
Towing
Available
719-689-2325
4TH & VICTOR AVENUE
VICTOR, CO 80860
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ds
Ki ner
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L
A ranch that became a golden hub
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he town of Cripple
Creek developed
along a small creek winding its way from the
mountains near Poverty
Gulch, where gold was
found by ranch hand Bob
Womack. There are numerous stories about how the city
was named. The most recounted story is of a cow that fell while
crossing the small stream that flowed through Poverty Gulch, resulting in the
statement, “That’s some Cripple Creek.” Gold was discovered in the fall of 1890.
By 1894, what had been a quiet, serene cattle ranch was a booming gold camp of about
50,000. The small camp was to become the fifth richest gold strike in the world, a legacy that
continues today with a still actively producing gold mine between Cripple Creek and Victor.
n what was once a ranch, Denver real estate men Horace Bennett and Julius Myers platted
out lots, sold, and developed Cripple Creek from its quiet beginnings. The gold rush
brought lumber yards, hotels, 100 saloons, over 40 assay offices, an equal number of brokerage
firms, 80 doctors, 91 lawyers, and 14 newspapers. Electricity lighted the streets in 1892, and in
1893 the city’s water system was completed. The first (and only) authentic Mexican bullfight was
held at Gillett north of the district. The first indoor rodeo was held in Cripple Creek at the Grand
Opera House. Several celebrities either grew up here or spent time in the mining district, including: Groucho Marx, Lowell Thomas, Texas Guinan, Wyatt Earp, and Jack Dempsey.
In 1990, the voters of Colorado approved limited-stakes gambling in Cripple Creek. The surge
to build casinos and make civic improvements brought on a new gold rush to the century-old city
that began with the meager endeavors of a few ranchers in Poverty Gulch. Events such as Donkey
Derby Days, Salute to American Veterans, rodeos, and July 4th celebrate the town’s heritage.
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finding heritage
ocated on Tenderfoot Hill above Cripple
Creek, the Cripple Creek Heritage Center
displays include geological history, regional
recreational activities and attractions, and
mining history. The center is well
known for its wall of windows
that offers stunning views of
the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The staff provides brochures, maps,
directions, and other visitor information. The
heritage center is located
one mile north of Cripple
Creek on Highway 67 and
is owned and funded by the
City of Cripple Creek. For
hours and information, call 1-877858-4653 or VisitCrippleCreek.com.
Two Mile High Donkeys
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he Cripple Creek donkey herd can be
found wandering around town. The animals are purported to be the descendants of
the donkeys that worked in the mines before
electricity reached the District, providing a
major labor force above and underground,
packing supplies and hauling ore cars and
timbers for miners. The Two Mile High Club
cares for the animals. Every June the town
honors the donkeys with Donkey Derby Days.
This event is the third full weekend of June
and includes fun for all ages. See
VisitCrippleCreek.com for event information.
D
isaster struck Cripple Creek twice in 1896. In late April of that
year, a “taxi dancer” on Myers Avenue (the Red Light District) got
into a fight with her beau. During the struggle, a kerosene heater was
overturned which started a fire. Due to prevailing winds and the fact
that all the buildings were wooden, the eastern half of the Cripple
Creek business district burned as well as a good portion of the residences. The resilient Cripple Creekers refused offers of help and
rebuilding commenced the next day. Three days later, a cook at one of
the hotels overturned a pot of grease on a hot stove, which started
another fire. This second fire burned what was left of the business district, including the start of the new construction, and several more
homes. This time, offers of help were gratefully accepted. The city
fathers ordained the business district to be built in brick.
Today, these brick buildings line Bennett Avenue, home to modernday casinos, shops, and eateries. Several more historic buildings line
the city’s side streets and make a superb walking tour of history.
1890
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Gold mine
underground
tour
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he Mollie Kathleen
Gold Mine offers a
1,000-foot underground vertical shaft
mine tour. Experience
the sights and sounds
of air powered mining
equipment. View gold
veins in their natural state and a large mineral collection. Receive a free gold ore specimen after the tour.
For more information, visit GoldMineTours.com or call
719-689-2466; 1 Mile North of Cripple Creek on Hwy. 67.
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ROADS TO RICHES & OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
GOLD BELT SCENIC & HISTORIC BYWAY
GoldBeltByway.com
History, Scenery, Shopping, Restaurants & More...
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he Butte Concert and
Beer Hall opened
about 1896, when proprietors featured nightly
entertainment with a
Ladies' Vienna Orchestra.
After being used for storage for years, early in
1999, the city of Cripple
Creek began extensive
renovations to refurbish
the former theater with
fresh paint, Victorian-era
wallpaper, and period
chandeliers.
he Butte Theater is
home to Thin Air
Theatre Company (TATC)
professional shows as well
as community productions. For information on
the Butte Theater, see
ButteTheater.com. For
more information on
TATC, see
ThinAirTheatre.com
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2016 season tatc
Darling of the Donkey Derby
(Classic Melodrama & Olio)
June 24- August 27
Based on the 1866 script by Dion Boucicault,
this classic horse-racing melodrama has been
re-imagined for the Butte stage. Set in 1930’s
Cripple Creek, our hero sets out to save the
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day by winning the very first Donkey Derby
Race (a racing tradition that continues to this
very day in Cripple Creek.) This show will be
followed by a hilarious summer olio.
Pippin
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
Book: Roger O. Hirson
July 1 – August 27
“We’ve got magic to do…just for you!”
Join us for the Tony-Award winning tale of
Pippin, a young prince struggling to find his
“Corner of the Sky.” With sizzling choreography and an award-winning score, a wandering
troupe of performers tell the story of our hero,
and his choice between a life of simple, unremarkable happiness, or living for a single, brief
flash of glory.
The Foreigner
By: Larry Shue
(Contemporary Farce)
September 2 – 24
In this hilarious farce, introvert Charlie Baker is
forced by a friend to take a vacation in rural
Georgia. To avoid having to interact with the
other guests, Charlie adopts the persona of a
foreigner who doesn't understand English.
Cripple Creepshow
(Halloween Show & Olio)
September 30 – October 30
A mysterious show rolls into town, tents are
erected, and the audience files in. But what
happens when the stories told begin to leave
the stage and cross into real life?
Join us for this Halloween melodrama, an
anthology in the vein of “Tales from the
Darkside,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “Night
Gallery.” This Show is followed by a very special Halloween Olio.
A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol
(Christmas Show and Olio)
November 25 – December 31
This Cripple Creek favorite puts a spin on the
classic Dickens tale and serves up a great holiday outing for the entire family! Followed by
the traditional fun-filled Christmas Olio.
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old mining waned in the 1930s and 1940s,
and so did business in Cripple Creek. In
1946 Wayne and Dorothy Mackin purchased
the Imperial Hotel and began the tradition of
producing 45-plus years of melodrama. The
Imperial Players performed to summer crowds
and helped revitalize the town with a new
tourism economy. In the early 1990s the Gold
Bar Room was closed. Gary and Wini Ledford
have re-opened the historic theater. The new
season will include variety of live shows, magicians, impersonators, music, and children’s
shows. For more information, visit
ImperialHotelRestaurant.com.
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S
everal events are planned throughout the
year, some of which were not finalized
before this publication’s date. See
VictorColorado.com and VisitCrippleCreek.com
for final dates, times, and changes in this
schedule.
September 10-11
Cruise Above the Clouds Car Show, Cripple Creek
Victor Ghost Town Garage Sale
September 17-18
Mt. Pisgah Speaks Cemetery Tour
September 17-18; 24-25
Two Mile High Club Aspen Tours, Cripple Creek
September 30 - October 30
Cripple Creep Show, Butte Theater
May
May 21
Sunnyside Cemetery Tour, Victor
May 14
Cripple Creek museums open for the season.
May 28
Annual STCFG Historic Tour; Victor LT Museum
Victor Lowell Thomas Museum & Victor’s Gold
Camp Ag & Mining Museum open for season.
May 29 - September 10
CC&V Mine Tours, from the Victor LT Museum
TBD
Annual Victor Garage Sale
June
June
Gold Bar Room Theater opens its summer season.
See ImperialHotelRestaurant.com for full schedule.
June 10-16
Cripple Creek Top of the World Rodeo
June 17-19
4th Annual Victor Gem & Mineral Show - specimens,
geode breaking, gold panning; free admission
June 24 - July 4
Once Upon a Time in the West Art Show - Cripple
Creek Heritage Center
June 24 - Aug. 27
Darling of the Donkey Derby - Melodrama at Butte
Theater, Cripple Creek
June 25-26
Cripple Creek Donkey Derby Days
July 4
Cripple Creek 4th of July Celebration
July 1 - August 27
Pippin - Butte Theater, Cripple Creek
July 15-16
Victor Gold Rush Days
Mine Tours, Gold Panning, Chili Dinner, Vintage
Baseball, Olio, Street Dance; Pancake Breakfast,
Mining Games, Gold Panning, Mine Tours, Home and
Building Tours, Tractor Pull, Vendors, Kids Games,
Reunion Dance, and more
July 30 - August 6
Teller County Fair, at the Fairgrounds, Cripple Creek
August
August 6-7
Victor Rat Rod Run
August 19-21
24th Annual Cripple Creek Salute to American
Veterans; Wall Dedication Aug. 21
September 3-4
Victor Celebrates the Arts Show, Victor Elks Lodge
September
September 2-24
The Foreigner - Butte Theater, Cripple Creek
September 10
Victor Race Day - pack burros and more.
G
etting to and from
Cripple Creek in
the 1890s was a matter
of determination. Miners
rode horseback, packed
mules, or walked.
Railroads soon were
built and transported
goods, ore, and passengers up the canyons
that led to the gold
fields. The first railroad
to open was the Florence & Cripple Creek July 1, 1894. The next day
the train derailed. Two other railroads served the district, including the
Short Line and Midland Terminal from Colorado Springs. The last train
to run to Cripple Creek was in 1949.
n June 28th, 1967, Dr. John M. Birmingham opened the Cripple
Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad for tours; the CC&VNGRR
has been carrying passengers ever since. Today the CC&VNGRR is the
only remaining railroad trip in the district. The railroad boasts three
100-plus-year-old engines and four more modern passenger cars. The
gift shop and ticket office, originally built in 1894 as the Anaconda
train station, is next to the original Cripple Creek Midland Depot which
houses the Cripple Creek District Museum at the east end of Bennett
Avenue in Cripple Creek. The train route winds through some of the
historic mining region and affords breath-taking scenery along the
route. An added bonus is narration by the engineer telling the passengers about the historical sights along the way. The trip lasts about 45
minutes. The train station is located at Fifth & Bennett Avenue and is
open mid-May to mid-October. For information, call
719-689-2640 or visit CrippleCreekRailroad.com.
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October
July
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October 1
Stories at the Strong - A Day of Tall Tales and Mining
History - sponsored by the Victor Lowell Thomas
Museum
October 8
Mine to Mine Challenge foot race, Cripple Creek
Bennett Avenue Sidewalk Sale, Cripple Creek
October 27
Haunted Millsite and Trunk or Treat in Victor
October 31
BOOzaar Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation
November
November 25 - January 1
Gold Camp Christmas Headframe Lighting
November 25 - December 27
A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol, Butte Theater,
Cripple Creek
December
December 9 - 11
Gold Camp Christmas Cripple Creek and Victor
December 9 - Victor Highlights Parade
December 10 - 11 - Cripple Creek, Victor Events
February 2017
February 10-12; 18-19
Cripple Creek Ice Festival
Scenic Routes For Rails
he Phantom Canyon Road is one of the most scenic and historic
drives in Colorado. The route, which follows the 1890’s bed of the
Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad (F&CC), increases in elevation from
5,500 to 9,500 feet and offers the chance to see a wide range of plants
and wildlife in their natural setting. The F&CC was built in 1894 as the
first connection from Florence to the goldfields of Cripple Creek and
Victor. The unique bridges and tunnels offer a visual link to the area's
historic past. The F&CC was shut down July 12, 1912, when a flood
roared down the canyon, ripping out track and 12 bridges. The route
was opened as an auto road in 1918 and today is part of the Gold Belt
National Scenic Byway.
he Midland Terminal, which ran from Colorado Springs up to
Cripple Creek, opened July 4, 1894, three days after the F&CC
arrived. Four passenger trains per day ran on the tracks and gold was
hauled to a processing plant on Colorado Springs’ west side. The railroad, which is now Highway 67 from Divide to Cripple Creek, closed in
1949 when it was no longer necessary to haul gold down the mountain
for processing.
he Short Line (aka Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District
Railway) was the shortest route to Colorado Springs and starting in
April of 1901 operated two passenger trains each way daily. The 46-mile
route cost over $4.5 million in 1900 values and was paid for by wealthy
mine owners. Over 220 box cars and 60 ore cars brought ore from the
Cripple Creek and Victor mines down the mountain to the mills in and
around Colorado Springs. Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed “This is the
ride that bankrupts the English language!” Service on the route ended in
1920. Later it became Gold Camp Road, which winds from Teller County
81 north of Victor down the mountain canyons to Old Stage Road near
the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The road is maintained, though can
be washboardy and in winter may require four-wheel drive or chains. The
scenery is spectacular and includes towering rock formations, overviews
of Colorado Springs, and in the fall, brilliant gold aspen stands.
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amed a Top 10 Western Museum by True
West Magazine, the museum is full of
photos of yesteryear, artifacts, and
exhibits that show how the district’s gold was
discovered, how towns were settled, and how
they grew into one of the most noted mining
camps in the world.
Don’t miss a turn-of-the-century assay office,
the former Colorado Trading & Transfer
Company with the its unique gift shop, the
book store, two courtyards containing mining
machinery and memorabilia, as well as an
assay office. The museum has hundreds of files
in its archives, including photographs,
newspaper articles, documents, letters, scrapbooks, city directories, death and burial
records, marriage and baptism records, and
correspondence from ancestors of the folks
who lived in the Cripple Creek District. Located
at the east end of Bennett Avenue. For more
information, visit CrippleCreekMuseum.com or
call 719-689-2634.
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AgMuseum
& Mining
his museum houses displays
and demonstrates one of
North America's best-known collections of historical tractors. The
home for this collection is the historic Fillabaum Ford Dealership
located at 102 Second Ave., Victor.
Don't miss the Annual Tractor Pull
during Gold Rush Days. Call 719651-5569 for information.
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Rocky Mountain Dinosaur
Resource Center
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Florissant Fossil Beds
National Monument
he Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Center (RMDRC) was
founded in 2004 by Mike and J.J. Triebold, of
Triebold Paleontology Incorporated (TPI). RMDRC is located in downtown Woodland Park and encompasses 20,000
square feet, of which more than half is dedicated to
exhibits. Visitors can see a wide collection of fossilized animals, see a working fossil laboratory and enjoy liferestoration as well as skeletons of these fascinating animals. The RMDRC is located at 201 S. Fairview St.
Woodland Park. For information call 719-686-1820 or visit
RMDRC.com.
orth of Cripple Creek about 28 miles, the peaceful
ponderosa pine forests and rolling meadows of modern Florissant are a sharp contrast to the violent volcanic
activity that occurred there millions of years ago. Volcanic
ash and mud flows preserved a priceless legacy - petrified
redwood stumps and delicate plant and insect fossils dating to 35 million years ago - set aside as the Florissant
Fossil Beds National Monument. The historic 1800’s
Hornbek Homestead is located at the north end of the
monument. Located about 18 miles north of Cripple Creek
on Teller County Rd.1. 719-748 3253 nps.gov/flfo
t the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum, you can pan for
real gold and gems and take in two floors of artifacts, books, exhibits, and photographs depicting the life
in Victor from its earlier days to the heyday of gold mining. Exhibits highlight the life of Lowell Thomas and
other pioneers of The World’s Greatest Gold Camp.
Take a modern mine tour and see how gold is taken
from the earth with 21st century technology. Check the
museum website for special guided historic tours and
programs, including a Sunnyside Cemetery tour in May.
Take off on a tour of the Trails of Gold right from the
museum’s front door, with access to miles of hiking and
biking trails that wander past 1890’s mines, homes, and
the scenic gold mining district.
The gift shop offers Victorian and gemstone jewelry,
new and rare used books, historic maps, postcards, gold
ore, one-of-a-kind gifts, and rock samples.
The museum, at the corner of 3rd St. and Victor Ave., is
open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekends in
September and October, as well as special holiday hours.
For information, call 719-689-5509, or visit
VictorColorado.com.
V
isitors to the Cripple Creek Jail Museum can get a taste of the shadier side of
early life in the gold camp. The museum is housed in the historic red brick
building that served as the Teller County Jail from 1902 until the 1990s.
The original cells have been left intact so visitors can examine them from the
inside. Displays highlight the laws and the lawless, with samples of police logs from
the 1890s, examples of early city ordinances, and newspaper accounts of crimes big
and small.
The museum features a gift shop. Located on Bennett Ave. and A St., the Cripple
Creek Jail Museum is open seasonally. Summer hours are 9-5 daily. For information,
call 877-858-4653 or VisitCrippleCreek.com.
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I
n the heart of downtown Cripple Creek you can find firstclass respite in two historic hotels, enjoy fine dining and
fast food, peruse antiques and fine art, and take in a show at a
live theater - all within a one-block walking distance. The Carr
Manor/Imperial Hotel properties offer a one-stop vacation getaway in the heart of Cripple Creek.
n the 1890s, the New Collins Hotel, now the Imperial Hotel,
featured steam heat, electric lights and a new dining room.
The Imperial now offers renovated rooms with private bath,
some of them are mini-suites, with a living room and roll out
couch. You can walk indoors from the Midland Depot to your
hotel room, making the Imperial Hotel a perfect Cripple Creek
vacation. The Midland Depot offers family-style Italian food.
The historic Gold Bar Theater in the lower level has been
brought back to life and offers a variety of entertainment. To
top off the evening, the historic Red Roster Bar offers a cozy
respite from life’s pressures. The Monte Carlo Mining Company
Emporium stocks fine art and antiques on the Bennett Avenue
level, which also includes Bobbie B’s Burgers and Ice Cream.
arr Manor, an 1890’s school one block east of the
Imperial, is appointed as a boutique hotel. This destination resort offers first-class accommodations in the heart of Cripple
Creek. Conference facilities, a grand ballroom, a spa/fitness room, and a
gift shop complete the amenities. Some suites feature four-poster beds
reminiscent of the period; all offer exquisite furnishings, and the
innkeepers cook up homemade breakfasts. Walls of fine art and historical memorabilia make for the finest lodging experience in the district.
Carr Manor - 350 East Carr Ave., Cripple Creek; 719-689-3709;
CarrManor.com.
Imperial Hotel & Restaurant - 123 N. Third St., Cripple Creek;
719-689-2561; ImperialHotelRestaurant.com.
Midland Depot Italian Restaurant - 123 N. Third St.; 719-689-2561
Gold Bar Theater - 123 N. Third St; 719-689-2561
Red Rooster Bar - 123 N. Third St.; 719-689-2561
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bronco billy’s Hotel
Bronco Billy's Hotel is a historic respite just a quick stroll
from the Bronco Billy's Casino. Rooms include private baths
and LCD flat screen televisions. Fresh, hot breakfast is
served in the Home Cafe inside Bronco Billy's Casino. 719689-0353. BroncoBillysCasino.com 151 E Bennett Ave.
Old Hospitals a quiet respite
Cripple Creek Hospitality House offers guests the opportunity to stay in the peaceful serenity of the Rocky Mountains.
Located in the former Teller County Hospital, the building was
constructed by the county in 1901. The facility includes a tent
and RV campground, hot tub and old-fashioned verandas for
enjoying the mountain sunshine. The RV park and hotel are
now open year-round. 719-689-2513 CCHospitalityHouse.com
600 North B St.
The Hotel St. Nicholas, built in 1898 as a Catholic hospital,
today offers comfortable accommodations, continental breakfast, stunning views and “distinctive spirits” in the Boiler Room
Tavern. 719-689-0856. HotelStNicholas.com 303 North Third
St.
Historic Victor Hotel
The Victor Hotel at Victor’s 4th Street and Victor Avenue offers
rooms in period 1890’s style. The 1899 hotel is a Victor original brick
hotel building, renovated, and offering rooms year-round. 719-6893553 or 1-800-713-4595; VictorHotelColorado.com
More Victor Lodging
The Thompson House Miner’s Cabin 719-689-5700
VictorColorado.com/coloradotnt.htm
The Fortune Club Rooms 3rd & Victor Avenue offer historic stays in
an 1890’s gold mining town; 719-689-2623
S
be prepared for the Mountains
outhern Teller County is nearly two miles above sea level. If
you are from a lower elevation, you may experience shortness
of breath or other discomforts when exercising. The high elevation
affects breathing and heart rate and will also affect how much alcohol you may consume. Please drink responsibly.
Weather is unpredictable. Nights can drop into the 30s even in
summer, making this a great place to escape from the heat of the
plains. While the summer is filled with sunny warm days in the 70s,
it can also be rainy and even snow. Bring a warm jacket and clothing to ensure your stay is comfortable. In the winter, enjoy sunny
blue-sky days. Often when it's snowing in Colorado Springs and Ute
Pass in the winter, Southern Teller County is basking in sunshine.
Take extra precautions when driving in the mountains. Pack warm
clothes, emergency food, a blanket, and chains. Cell phones do not
work in all locations.
Penrose Urgent Care/Centura Health in Cripple Creek offers
emergency services at the clinic at 1101 Teller County Road 1. The
urgent care offers medical attention for minor burns, sprains, fractures, infections, bites, rashes and stings. For information, call 719689-4300 or visit PenroseStFrancis.org.
Pikes Peak Regional Hospital in Woodland Park offers emergency and personal physician care services at 16420 W, Hwy 24,
Woodland Park. A state-of-the-art community hospital, PPRH offers
emergency room care for minor injuries and conditions as well as
surgical needs. For more information, call 719-687-9999 or visit
PikesPeakRegionalHospital.com.
V
ictor kids of all ages know where to hang out in the winter Brian’s Park is the only groomed ice rink in southern Teller
County and is open daily from mid December into early March.
Just below Portland Avenue in Victor at Fourth Street, the rink is
home to the Victor Penguins Hockey Club. Several divisions play on
the rink, from young kids to adults. Hours are posted at the rink.
The club has its own Zamboni for ice maintenance. The Penguins
sponsor adult hockey and also field youth teams. These teams play
against regional hockey teams in January and February. Tournaments
are also held during the season.
The Penguins Hockey Club is a nonprofit organization. Donations
are always welcome and are tax deductible. For more information,
call Brian Hayes at 719-689-2029.
S
kaguay Reservoir, seven miles from Victor, is a quiet, mountain
get-away worth the trip down a scenic backcountry road.
Skaguay Reservoir was built in 1900 to power the mining district.
Today the lake is a popular mountain fishing spot. To find the reservoir, drive about one mile down Phantom Canyon Road from Victor to
the first left and turn at the sign for reservoir; then follow this aspenlined road to the lake. Fishing is best at the inlet, east shore, and dam.
Boats and camping are allowed. If you need bait, tackle or lunches,
stop in Victor before heading out, G&S Sporting Goods sells fishing
licenses, and several establishments offer lunches to go.
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the basics of Cripple creek Casino gambling
olorado voters approved limited stakes gambling in 1990, a century after gold was discovered in Cripple Creek.Bets are limited
to $100 each. Several casinos sport slot machines, video and live poker, blackjack
tables, craps, and roulette.
Colorado State law dictates that no one under 21 may linger on the gaming floor. In
most casinos, children may cross the floors to get to the restaurants or restroom facilities.
Some casinos offer arcades for the younger set.
P
arking along city streets in Cripple Creek can be scarce, but many casinos offer validation parking or free parking lots and parking garages.
Cripple Creek casinos, large and small, offer a chance to strike it rich in both historic
and modern venues. Casinos offer gaming fun, bars, dining, and VIP benefits, as well as
hotel rooms.
See VisitCrippleCreek.com for more information and a directory of casinos.
bronco billy’s Casino
One of the first to open in 1991, Bronco Billy’s rambles through several circa 1905 historic buildings and is home to video poker. At Bronco Billy’s, Buffalo Billy’s, and Billy’s, you
also find plenty of slots and progressives, video poker, roulette, and craps, along with several restaurants, including the famous Home
Café restaurant.
Located at 233 E. Bennett Ave., Bronco Billy’s is in the center of the gaming district and a short, easy walk from its own hotel, the
historic Bronco Billy’s Hotel. They also offer a free shuttle service to and from destinations around town.
Baja Billy’s - Great food from south of the border.
Bierwerks - Craft brews, bratwursts, pretzels, and more. Upper level of the casino.
Home Café - Serves American Grill meals, daily specials including the famous .49 breakfast.
The Home Plate - Chili cheese dogs, nachos, and other quick bites.
The Steakhouse - Best steak dinner in Cripple Creek. Call 719-689-2909 for reservations, which are highly recommended.
For more information, call 719-689-2142, 877-989-2142, or visit BroncoBillysCasino.com.
GRAINGER
REALTY, INC.
Colorado Real Estate
Specializing in Residential,
Land & Commercial
Property for Sale in the
u
Cripple Creek, Colorado Area
150 E. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
719-641-6912
GraingerRealty.com
Page 20
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he Cripple Creek & Victor Gold
Mining Company (CC&V) operates the modern, high-tech surface
gold mine, the largest in Colorado,
between Cripple Creek and Victor. In
2015 CC&V poured its 5,000,000th
ounce of gold mined from the
Cresson Project, which started in
1995.
n August of 2015, CC&V was purchased by Newmont Mining
Company, a North American corporation which oversees the operations.
ince the rush began in 1890, the Cripple Creek Mining District has
produced over 24,000,000 ounces of gold. Driving around the
area you can see modern mining methods that keep the district’s gold
mining legacy alive: From surface mining along county roads, to the valley fill/gold recovery processes
along Highway 67 northwest of
Victor, to the Salon Beard, Altman,
and Squaw Gulch toe-berm reclamation sites. Above Squaw Gulch,
CC&V has built a new rod and ball
mill that has begun operations,
and is processing higher grade
ores.
&V invites you to tour this
amazing mining operation see VictorColorado.com for reservations and information.
t one time, over 500 underground mines operated in
the district, and CC&V has worked
with the local communities to preserve some of the remaining historic structures that have not been
lost to time. Several of these
structures include: the Cresson
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A
T
headframe in Victor, the Anchoria
Leland Mine near Cripple Creek,
and the Rittenhouse headframe on
south 4th Street in Victor. In the
past few years the company has
re-located and restored several
structures - preserving them for
future generations. Please be
aware that old mine sites can be
dangerous, so enjoy them from the
established roads and trails. Please
do not harm historic sites so that others may enjoy them.
C&V is a proud member of the community. Its 550-plus employees
have donated thousands of hours of volunteer time to local organizations, and CC&V has an active donation program contributing to infrastructure projects, health care, education, and events.
ased on permitted surface mining plans, and its ongoing geological exploration, CC&V will
be a part of the
district’s mining
heritage for years
to come. CC&V’s
geological exploration indicates
that modern,
underground
mining may be
economical and
CC&V will be
working on
plans that may
extend the disCC&V is not just preserving local history, but also our hertrict’s mining
itage statewide. In 2013, CC&V donated 75 ounces
heritage even
($125,000 value in 2013 prices) of gold for the restoration of
the gold leaf surface of the Capitol Dome in Denver.
further.
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Photo by Brad Poulson, CC&V
To ensure visitors’ safety, several policies must be
followed:
lAll tour participants must sign a release form; parents
of children under 18 must sign the release form.
lArrive at the museum 15 minutes early; everyone is
required to sign in, fill out release forms and view a mine
safety video.
lNo children under 5 allowed on tours.
lNo sandals are allowed and you will be required to
wear long pants (no shorts) hard hats, safety vests, and safety glasses
provided by CC&V.
lCC&V is an active mining operation; tours may be limited by mining
operations.
For information visit: VictorColorado.com or CCVGoldMining.com.
ours through the modern gold mining operations of Cripple Creek
& Victor Gold Mining Company (CC&V) are offered in the summer
months. See giant haul trucks, shovels, and drill rigs in action. Watch
boulders being crushed into gravel and learn about the modern refining
methods while helping to preserve the 1890’s history. All tour proceeds
go to the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum in downtown Victor, where the
tours start. Modern mine tours begin Memorial Day Weekend and are an
affordable way to see a real working gold mine.
Tours in 2016 are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. as follows:
May 29-Sept. 5 daily except no tours on Thursdays; see website for
additional times and dates. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Cost is $7.50 per person, all ages. The maximum on each tour is 13.
Please be sure to reserve your tours early as they are very popular
and fill up quickly. Tours leave from the museum on the corner of Victor
Avenue and Third Street.
Reservations strongly recommended:
At VictorColorado.com or by leaving a message at 719-6894211 or during summer months at 719-689-5509.
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