History
Native Americans
Mountain Men
Gold Rush
Railroads
Miners

KKTV features Cripple Creek & Colorado stay-cations!

Check out KKTV's article on cheap vacation spots in Southern Colorado.  Click on the video link to the left of the photo (Titled "Deals available to stay-cationers") to view a fantastic video of what we and our surrounding areas have to offer!

Colorado Springs Style Magazine features Donkey Derby Days 2009!

Check out the Colorado Springs Style Magazine's article featuring Donkey Derby Days 2009 - our famous Heritage Celebration!


Best of the Springs Winner!
Cripple Creek was named "Best Day Trip" by the Colorado Springs Gazette!






ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE!  MAKE YOUR FUTURE VISIT MEMORABLE!  

While visiting the area, take advantage of the many attractions and activities we have to offer.  Tour a museum, ride a train, go 1,000 feet underground, or go for a hike! Whatever your fancy, there is something for everyone.  For additional information, check out the websites provided below.  

Click on a link below to jump down to the location you want to view.

American Eagles Overlook BMX Track
Butte Theater Carr Manor
Costello Street Coffee House
Cripple Creek Heritage Center
Cripple Creek Hospitality House and Travel Park Cripple Creek District Museum
Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad Donkeys of the World's Greatest Gold Camp
Florissant Cemetery
Florissant Fossil Beds Gems 'N' Gents
Gold Belt Tour Gold Camp Victorian Society
Historic Victor, Colorado Hotel St. Nicholas
Information Center (Train Car) Memorial Wall
Mollie Kathleen Mine Mt. Pisgah Cemetery Tours
Old Homestead Museum Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum
Pikes Peak Historical Society
Trade Transfer Building
Trails of Gold Ute Pass Historical Society
Victor City Hall - Museum and Visitors Center Victor Hotel
Victor Lowell Thomas Museum
Victor Trading Co. & Manufacturing Works LLC


American Eagles Overlook

One of the most impressive views of the Cripple Creek/Victor Mining District, back dropped by the Continental Divide, is from atop the American Eagles Overlook near Victor, Colorado.

From the overlook, look down into a portion of the massive Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company surface operations - watch equipment extract ore from the caldera of the extinct volcano that made this area rich with gold. Take in breathtaking views of Mt. Pisgah and the Collegiate & Sangre de Cristo mountains to the west as well as the historic town of Goldfield and Vindicator Valley to the east.




Mountain View BMX Track

Bike-away on this unique mountain track located a little past Cripple Creek Public Works on County Rd. 89. This free track offers challenging BMX excitement. Each Fall a BMX race and Big Air Competition are held. The track is free and open for use year round, weather permitting.





Butte Theater

Since the town’s early days as a small mining camp, theater has always been a part of the rich heritage of Cripple Creek. Theater and opera houses have come and gone over the years, but one historical venue that began in the heyday of the gold rush still features exciting and original live entertainment to this day: the Butte Opera House



Carr Manor

Carr Manor is the perfect place for your Colorado vacation rental, romantic getaway, honeymoon, family reunion, retreat or wedding. We are located in the historic gold mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado, surrounded by a wealth of history & activities that offer year-round fun & adventure.  See our Online Packages for easy lodging & attraction combinations.



Costello Street Coffee House

Costello Street Coffee House, known historically as the McLaughlin House, was built in 1885 and was home to one of Florissant's prominent families.  The McLaughlins bought and operated the general store located next door to the home from the founders of Florissant, the Castellos. 

The Costello Street Coffee House has been lovingly redecorated in the victorian style which it may once have enjoyed. It is a quiet and charming setting in which to enjoy a full coffee bar, pastries and desserts, tea and a sandwich menu.  A Friday night dinner is served as well as a Sunday breakfast buffet. A wonderful high tea is offered by reservation: call 719-748-3567 for information.




Cripple Creek District Museum

Since 1953, the Cripple Creek District Museum has worked to preserve the history of the entire Cripple Creek District and Teller County. Three of Cripple Creek's most historic buildings - the 1893 Colorado Trading & Transfer Building, the 1895 Midland Terminal Railroad Depot and a turn-of-the-century Assay Office - house literally thousands of photographs, maps, mining documents and equipment, Victorian furnishings and other artifacts. A self-guided tour of the Museum includes a full six floors of displays, two Victorian apartments, special exhibits on the influential people of the District, an art gallery and an extensive mineral collection. The Museum Gift Shop carries a unique variety of gifts, as well as the best book selection in Teller County.

Open year round. Call 719-689-2634 or access the website at www.cripple-creek.org.


Cripple Creek Heritage Center

Overlooking the town of Cripple Creek, this facility is the newest member of the Pikes Peak Country Attractions Association, and your complete source for Cripple Creek information. Stop here before entering the town for a birds-eye view of all there is to see and do in the heart of history!




Cripple Creek Hospitality House and Travel Park

The Cripple Creek Hospitality House offers guests an opportunity to stay in the peaceful serenity of the Rocky Mountains. Its 17 guest rooms are decorated in period Victorian style with their own televisions. Most rooms have a private bath, and an outside hot tub in a gazebo is available for guest use. Available for small or larger group experiences including conferences, family reunions and even dream Rocky Mountain weddings.

It was built in 1901 and served as the Teller County Hospital during gold’s heyday in the District.




Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

A trip on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, reveals scenic wonders around every curve as century-old steam locomotive transports you back to the gold mining days of Cripple Creek & Victor, Colorado. A treat for railroad and history buffs, kids and the whole family.



Donkeys of the World's Greatest Gold Camp

Our current donkey herd is believed to be made up of the direct descendants of the donkeys that were used to work the mines in the Cripple Creek & Victor mining district in the early years of the Gold Camp.

In 1933, two businessmen came up with the idea of holding a Donkey Derby here in Cripple Creek to help encourage tourism.  A track was built just south of town and the first Donkey Derby Race was held.

Today the Two Mile High Club continues to put on Donkey Derby Days the last full weekend in June of each year.  The donkeys are no longer ridden, but races are held by leading the donkeys through a series of obstacles on Bennett Ave.  Proceeds from the weekend are used by the club to provide feed and veterinary services for the herd.




Fire Station #3

The Cripple Creek Fire Department Station # 3 was completed in 1900 to provide protection from a reoccurrence of the city’s two catastrophic fires of 1896 which burned 47 acres of the city and destroyed more than 400 buildings.

The Museum is operated by the City of Cripple Creek to commemorate the service of our brave firefighters throughout the years. It houses numerous displays and photographs of the unique fire fighting history of Cripple Creek.

Open weekends starting May, 2009.





Florissant Pioneer Cemetery

The Florissant Pioneer Cemetery is located at 634 County Road #421 (Upper Twin Rocks Road) in Florissant, Colorado.

Florissant began as a Ute Trading Post built by Judge James Castello in June, 1870.  In 1873, Judge Castello applied for an official post office which he named “Florissant” after his hometown in Missouri.  Hundreds of pioneers flooded into the area, but were unable to file for legal title to homesteads until a survey of the Pikes Peak region was published in 1876.  Nonetheless, the ebb and flow of life continued.  Numerous graves, many with simple wooden markers, began to dot the hillsides of this peaceful little valley before you.  The earliest legible marker is the granite headstone of a child who died in 1874.  It is located in the historic section of the cemetery which is west of the flag pole.

On April 3, 1888, Frank Castello (son of James) and his neighbor John Wilson applied to El Paso County (Teller County was carved out of El Paso County 1899) for a “Florissant Cemetery Association” with themselves as Trustees.  In November 1900, Frank Castello applied to have only himself named Trustee of the Florissant Cemetery Association.  The record is vague after this date, and the cemetery fell into disrepair.  The Florissant Heritage Foundation (renamed Pikes Peak Historical Society in 2001) began voluntary maintenance in 1988.  In March, 1992, the District Court in Teller County named the Foundation as Trustee of the Cemetery.

When you visit our Pioneer Cemetery, remember that you are walking on hallowed ground.  Please treat it as such.  The Pikes Peak Historical Society offers a $500 reward for information on any vandals.



Florissant Fossil Beds

Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.





Gems 'N' Gents

Gems 'N' Gents is a Junior Achievement Business run by the Cripple Creek-Victor High School Students.  Offering a prospecting adventure, patrons can hunt for native Cripple Creek turquoise in a comfortable, accessible location.  Bring your family and friends, or make a date of this experience for an unforgettable time.  10% of funds will be donated to charity, so come support this positive business and know that you're contributing to a great cause.  For more information on location, rates, hours and coupons, please visit the Gems 'N' Gents website.


Gold Belt Tour

Drive the Gold Belt Tour and retrace the historic travel routes connecting Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District, site of the world's largest gold rush, to the communities of Florence, Cañon City and Florissant. Today the communities of the Gold Belt Tour invite you to experience the rich local heritage as you follow the "Roads to Riches"

 

 


Gold Camp Victorian Society

Gold CampThe Gold Camp Victorian Society, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation of the history of Cripple Creek, Colorado, and surrounding areas.  Known as the World’s Greatest Gold Camp, the district is rich in ranching, mining and railroad history.  By wearing Victorian era clothing and reenacting typical scenes of those days, the Gold Camp Victorian Society is determined to safeguard this heritage by educating all generations in the lifestyles and accomplishments of the early day residents who created and enriched our community.

 

Historic Victor, Colorado

Victor, City of Mines, is located at nearly 10,000 feet on the southwestern side of Pikes Peak, Victor, Colorado. The city sits on the side of Battle Mtn., offering a unique setting of 1890's gold mining structures and turn-of-the-century architecture, clean, cool air and plenty of sunshine.

 



Hotel St. Nicholas


Experience the historic Hotel St. Nicholas and enjoy an elegant and romantic 1898 mountain inn. Originally built as Cripple Creek’s first hospital, the hotel experienced a rich history serving the miners and gold kings who led the 1890’s gold rush. The restored hotel, quietly located just two blocks from gaming, features 15 individually decorated hotel rooms, a rooftop Jacuzzi, a dry-sauna, the on-site Boiler Room Tavern, a full service events room, and a full continental breakfast. Walk to the casinos from your hotel room!



Information Center (Train Car)

The Train Car was built in 1887 as a first class passenger car, complete with a gentlemen’s smoking area (which is now the office) There were seats throughout the entire car, gas-lit lights and a wood stove in the smoking area. Eventually the car was changed over to electricity. It was a Midland Terminal train car and actually ran up Hwy 67 from Colorado Springs into Cripple Creek. In the 1920’s the Midland took all its passenger cars, with the exception of 2, and changed them in to combo cars. They cut sliding doors in the sides to allow freight to be loaded onto the cars. There were still seats for passengers, hence the name “combo.” The Midland ran up to 1949. On February 6, 1949, the last run of the Midland took place with celebrities such as Lowell Thomas riding the last run.

The Midland either sold or abandoned the car and when the City of Cripple Creek purchased it around 1995 or 96, it was sitting (no wheels) in a field being used as storage. The city refurbished the car to the tune of about $100,000.

Today the Train Car is lovingly cared for by our Heritage Tourism Assistants. They clean and oil the wood and the insides of the car. Jody from Building is currently restoring and repainting the front side of the car. The back side will be done either this fall or next spring.


Memorial Wall

The citizens of Cripple Creek are proud to establish this memorial and offer it as a place to reflect on the sacrifices for our freedom. Any members of our Armed Forces that have been killed in action since September 11, 2001 and were stationed at one of our five area installations, had a home of record in El Paso or Teller County, or were Air Force Academy graduates will be listed on the wall in remembrance of their service and sacrifice. The Pikes Peak Region’s Memorial Wall is constructed of Colorado Red granite and other native materials and is open daily.




Mollie Kathleen Mine


A spectacular adventure awaits visitors on the Mollie Kathleen Mine tour. The nation’s only historic gold mine tour descends 1,000 feet below ground,
where visitors learn about the workings of the 1890s hard rock gold miner.  Guided tours allow visitors to explore the overlapping evolution of all four mining phases used to extract gold from the Mollie Kathleen, beginning with a ride on a skip (elevator) to the lower working levels of the mine. Visitors witness the operation of numerous pieces of air-powered gold mining equipment and ride aboard the last air-powered Tram-Air Locomotive. This educational tour reveals how gold veins appear in their natural state and explains the processes used to extract gold ore for production.



Mt. Pisgah Cemetery Tours

The Gold Camp Victorian Society’s 9th Annual “Mt. Pisgah Speaks Cemetery Walk” will begin at the Cripple Creek District Museum.  Tours will board Cripple Creek’s Historic Trolley, as parking is not available at the cemetery.  Tours will start every half hour starting at 10:00 a.m. with the last tour departing at 2:30 p.m.

A donation of $8.00/Adult or $15.00/Couple and $5.00/Child under 12 is requested.  Advance tickets, private tours and group rates for groups of 25 or more may be requested by calling 689-9795 or email goldcampvictoriansociety@gmail.com  All donations help the Gold Camp Victorian Society’s Historic Preservation Efforts.

Please note that the Cemetery Walk is a walking tour approximately 2 hours long, and may be difficult for people with health problems.



Old Homestead Museum


The year 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of the Old Homestead Parlour House Museum as Colorado's only bordello museum. Formerly the most posh parlor house on bawdy Myers Avenue, the Homestead offers an informative guided tour that is indeed family friendly.
Ten rooms, including five bedrooms, are filled with original and period furnishings to give visitors a realistic look at life in a frontier brothel. Owned by the Wild Horse Casino and under the stewardship of the Cripple Creek District Museum, the Homestead is open seasonally with special tours available during winter months. Call 719-689-2634 or access the web page at www.cripple-creek.org.


Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum

Relive the outlaw days of the Wild West in one of the most popular Cripple Creek museums: the Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum.

In the late 1800s, the promise of an easy fortune lured people to the gold mines of Cripple Creek; in just ten years, the population grew from 15 to more than 50,000. Like every western gold rush town, Cripple Creek had more than our fair share of miscreants and troublemakers. Fortunately, we also had a brave group of men sworn to keep the outlaws in line. Learn their stories in an authentic Cripple Creek jail museum.

 
Pikes Peak Historical Society

In August, 2005, the Pikes Peak Historical Society opened its new 2600 square foot Museum in Florissant. This new historic museum is located at 18033 Teller County Road #1, across from the Florissant Post Office. The Museum offers visitors an entertaining and educational tour of the Pikes Peak region, from early explorers to Ute Indians and Mountain Men to the early pioneers, railroads, and gold rush. Unique rocks, minerals, and fossils from the Florissant Lineament provide one of the richest geological exhibits in the Pikes Peak region.

The Museum Gift Shop features bead work and other crafts from the Northern Ute Indians, in addition to books on Colorado history and handmade crafts and goods. The Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum is open year round, and admission to the Museum is free.

During the summer the Pikes Peak Historical Society is open daily, except Sunday and Tuesday, from 10am to 4pm. Our winter hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday from 10am to 4pm. For more information, call 748-8259.



Trade Transfer Building

The Colorado Trading & Transfer Building was constructed by John Hart in 1893 for use as a hay and feed store. In anticipation of the coming of the railroads in 1894, Albert E. "Bert" Carlton and his brother Les purchased the building and named it the Colorado Trading & Transfer Building.

Bert Carlton became a large influence on the Midland Terminal Railroad's decision to construct its depot next to his company in 1895 and soon monopolized the freighting industry between the railroad and the mines. Bert lived in the building until he married Ethel Frizzell in 1902 and moved to much more auspicious quarters above his First National Bank on Bennett Avenue.

Today the building houses the Cripple Creek District Museum Gift Shop, Heritage Gallery and an upstairs 1900's apartment.

 

Trails of Gold

Trails of Gold - hike and bike through time on a series of trails through historic gold mining country.


 

 

 



Ute Pass Historical Society


The Ute Pass Historical Society was incorporated in 1976 by a small group of local scrap bookers who wanted to preserve the unique history of the Ute Pass corridor.  Since then we have grown into an organization with a priceless collection of Ute Pass artifacts and over 4,600 archival photos, as well as precious Ute Indian objects.

We invite you to come and visit our Research Office during office hours, schedule a tour of our wonderful exhibit-filled historic cabins, or attend one of our special events.  UPHS is a 501 3C nonprofit, supported by patron donations, grants, tours of our historical buildings, and unending work and dedication from our volunteers.



Victor City Hall – Museum & Visitor Center

Historic City Hall, built in 1899-1900 after the Great Fire that devastated Victor, offers a chance to look into the gold rush past.  The historic jail cells where Jack Dempsey scribbled his name and the old fire hall are highlights of a stop at the City Hall.  In the summer months, a visitor center offers traveler information.

 

 






Victor Hotel

Featuring a panoramic view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and an easy 10-minute drive to Cripple Creek thru scenic mining district, Victor is a quiet respite for those who want get off the beaten path.  www.victorhotelcolorado.com

 

 



Victor Lowell Thomas Museum Lowell Thomas


Pan for real gold & Cripple Creek turquoise... step back into the 1890's gold mining boom days and learn about famed television broadcaster and world traveler Lowell Thomas.





Victor Sunnyside Cemetery

Explore the history of Victor's Sunnyside Cemetery. Just south of town off 7th Street and a short county road, the cemetery includes graves of young and old who pioneered the gold camp.







The Victor Trading Co. & Manufacturing Works LLC


Colorado’s most unique shop.  Step back in time with a working broom-shop, tin-shop and letterpress print-shop.  Hand-made goods using tools from Victor’s heyday, 1900.  This is a working museum with the world famous “Broom Wall”.


 




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