History of Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Gold Mining
Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
Cripple Creek History
Elevation: 9,494 feet above sea levelStep back in time - Cripple Creek, CO. The World's Greatest Gold Camp!
Meet Bob Womack. On first appearance he seems the typical turn-of-the-century cowboy. But this man made a discovery that changed history.
In October 1890, he discovered gold in Poverty Gulch (now Cripple Creek, Colorado), starting a rush that caught the attention of the world. The ore Womack dug from the earth sent the fever through thousands of souls and has created a National Park Service recognized National Historic District that draws tourists from around the world.
Historic mine shafts, head frames and cabins still dot the landscape here in the high country behind Pikes Peak. Today gold mining is still in full swing as the state's largest open pit and heap leach project takes shape between Cripple Creek and Victor. Modern-day miners scoop ore-laden earth in gigantic trucks and haul it to the local gold processing plant, a far cry from the pioneer ways of Womack's time. Despite his discovery, Womack died impoverished. But the gold rush he started left a legacy that lives on today.
Cripple Creek is one of three Colorado cities to have limited-stakes gambling. While the golden history of Cripple Creek lures many, thousands also flock to Cripple Creek to try their luck at a different venture. Poker, blackjack and slot machines abound in the city's casinos. New and historic hotels are on line to help accommodate those who want to spend a few days taking in the scenery, feeding the donkeys and feeling the excitement of gambling. Restaurants and shops offer fine food and local art. Are you ready to discover the wealth Cripple Creek has to offer?
Bob Womack is ready to lead you down the path of adventure to The World's Greatest Gold Camp ...
There was always a reason to celebrate during the heyday of gold rush days in Cripple Creek. If there wasn't a huge gold strike to celebrate, there was the arrival of the newest railroad, stage, road, the mail delivery and, of course, the usual July 4ths and religious holidays.
Celebrations brought out the best in Cripple Creek, with red, white and blue buntings, banners, horse carriages and the Sunday's best clothes being donned for the occasion.
Today, the annual summer celebrations offer fun for all. The biggest Cripple Creek event is Donkey Derby Days, always held the last full weekend of June. Nearby Victor holds Gold Rush Days every year, during the third weekend of July.
Courtesy Cripple Creek Welcome Center
top
Gold Mining
Gold fever put Cripple Creek on the map in 1890. The district's mines are responsible for making the area the fourth largest producing gold camp in the world. In the first year of production, early day mines reported about $250,000 taken from the ground. By 1893, miners had dug up $3 million in gold ore; by 1899 about $59 million in ore was sent out of the camp. By the end of the gold rush, area mines produced $432 million. At the turn of the century, assay offices were as prevalent as grocery stores and everyone it seemed came to Cripple Creek and Victor to make a fortune from the earth, or from some related service. Tent cities sprang up and wooden store fronts lined the dusty streets. In 1896, the town burned to the ground in two fires. Brick buildings soon replaced the old wooden shops. Most of these brick building's have been refurbished and now play home to casinos filled with visitors trying to hit a modern-day jackpot.
Today gold mining still has a tremendous influence on the area. Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co., a subsidiary of Anglo Gold, operates the largest open pit and heap leach gold mine in the state of Colorado. The operation is located between Cripple Creek and Victor.
The district's only underground gold
mines are owned by Victor resident Jim
Watson (Strong Mine) and the Lanning
family (Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine). The
Strong mine is located just above Victor.
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine offers
underground tours and above-ground
modern-day mine tours.