History/Guide Notes
Clear Creek County is located only 40 minutes from downtown Denver and is a historical and recreational enthusiast's dream. It follows the I-70 corridor for 27 miles and its towns - Idaho Springs, Empire, Georgetown and Silver Plume are situated in very narrow, breathtakingly spectacular valleys. Publicly owned land encompasses 75% of the county and provides a wealth of opportunities for recreational activities.
Idaho Springs
· Idaho Springs is where the Colorado Gold Rush began. George Jackson found gold at the confluence of Chicago Creek and Vasquez Creek on January 7, 1859.
· The name of the town, Idaho Springs comes from the Arapahoe Indian word "Eduhoe" which translates to "gem of the mountains". Idaho Springs, which was incorporated in 1873, was originally divided into a number of smaller mining districts including Grass Valley, Sacramento, and Spanish Bar. At its height, the population in the town reached 14,000 people. Today nearly 2,500 call it home.
· Doc Holliday is rumored to have stayed at the Club Hotel while he was enjoying the hot springs. President Theodore Roosevelt also stayed there. Buffalo Bill had one of his last drinks at the Duck Inn (now the Giggling Grizzly), where he stopped in on his way from Glenwood Springs to visit his sister in Denver. He died several days after his visit to Idaho Springs. The Duck Inn became famous for being the place where Buffalo Bill had his last drink, the drink incidentally was a "stone fence" a mixture of whiskey and cider.
· Idaho Springs Heritage Museum and Visitors Center is open daily. The Visitors Center has clean, public restrooms. The Idaho Springs Historical Society runs a FREE Heritage Museum that is attached to the Visitors Center. A few of the museum's exhibits include - mining implements, minerals collected from the area, dioramas of some of Idaho Springs' most important moments in history, fire fighting equipment including a hose cart, Rocky Mountain Big Horn sheep and mountain goats, a classroom from the 1800s and other memorabilia. This is a great way to become familiar with the history of our community.
· Argo Mine - When construction began in 1892, the Argo Gold Mine was the longest tunnel in the world. It connected the mining communities of Idaho Springs and Central City, located 4.5 miles away directly through the mountain. The tunnel provided water drainage, ventilation and economical transportation of the gold bearing ore from many of the mines it intersected along the way. The Argo Mill was constructed to process the gold bearing ore from the mines. When completed it was the largest mill of its type in the world. This mill annually processed more than $100 million worth of gold ore in the early 1900s, when the price of gold fluctuated between $8 and $35 an ounce. Gold is currently valued at more than $300 per ounce.
· Steve Canyon Statue - On July 8, 1950, Idaho Springs skipped into the history books by unveiling the first statue to honor a comic strip hero - Steve Canyon. The statue, an 8-foot-tall rendition of the once popular cartoon pilot and adventurer, was donated by Milt Caniff to the town of Idaho Springs to honor Colorado's service men and women. Caniff became involved with the town due to the enterprising community members who wanted to reinstate the community's Gold Rush Days in the post WWII 1940s, and decided to rename Squirrel Gulch after the cartoon character. The rest is history.
· Indian Springs Resort - Naturally hot mineral water free flows from their wells at 120 degrees. The Ute and Arapahoe Indians used and considered the hot springs sacred. Because Soda Creek was the dividing line between their nations, they considered the hot springs to be neutral ground. In 1859 George Jackson was the first person to record the location of the hot springs. He made the first major Colorado gold discovery on Chicago Creek three days later. In 1863 Dr. E.M. Cummings built a wood frame house near the springs and began charging the public for health baths. In 1866, he sold the property to Harrison Montague who built a stone bathhouse. The gazebo from that house is still standing in the swimming pool area. Famous visitors include Frank and Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Walt Whitman, Baby Doe Tabor, the Vanderbilt family and the Roosevelt family. Over the years, famous entertainers and personalities have enjoyed the resort's amenities including Clint Eastwood, John Denver, John McEeun and Bo Diddly.
· Old No. 60, Bridal Veil Falls and Charlie Tayler Water Wheel - Old No. 60 is a narrow gauge steam train, located directly behind City Hall, which helped shape the future of this area by transporting people and gold ore on narrow, winding tracks. It is one of the few remaining narrow gauge trains in the country and still sits on its original roadbed. The path to the falls, which ends at the waterwheel with a memorial to Charlie Tayler, is located directly behind the train. Bridal Veil Falls plummets nearly 300 feet into Clear Creek behind the Charlie Tayler Waterwheel. There is a bronze bust of Charlie Tayler at the base of the waterwheel. Charlie built the wheel in the 1890s to power a five-stamp mill at his mine on Ute Creek. He dreamed of owning the largest and finest waterwheel in the area and when it was completed, it was the state's largest. Each of the buckets on the waterwheel can hold 15 gallons of water. Rumor has it that Charlie Tayler dined primarily on chipmunk stew. Surprisingly, he was a life-long bachelor. Taylor lived to be 72 years of age and he attributed his longevity to the fact that he never took a bath, shaved or kissed women. Following his death, his estate donated the waterwheel to the city of Idaho Springs. In 1945 it was moved to its present location.
· George Jackson Monument - The Jackson Monument was erected by the townspeople of Idaho Springs in 1909 to honor George Jackson's discovery of gold at the confluence of Chicago Creek and Vasquez Creek in January 1859. The monument is built of granite from Clear Creek and currently sits on the site of the Clear Creek Secondary School.
· National Historic District of Idaho Springs - More than 60 structures in downtown Idaho Springs are listed on the National Register of Historic Places including 3 hose houses, 3 churches, numerous public buildings including the Carnegie Library, Elks Lodge, Club Hotel and the Underhill Museum.
· Tommyknocker Brewery Tour - Tommyknocker Brewery is one of Colorado's most prestigious breweries for its award winning ales crafted right in our community. The brewery produces nearly 3 million bottles per year. Tours of the brewery are available upon request. The brewery is named after the legend of the Tommyknocker. The Tommyknocker is an elf-like creature, who, depending upon your superstition, would knock to let you know when you were going to discover gold, or to tell you that the mine was caving in. The legend of the Tommyknocker came with the Cornish miners who flocked to this area from England in search of their fortunes during Colorado's Gold Rush.
· Mt. Evans Historic and Scenic Byway - The Mt. Evans Historic and Scenic Byway is the highest paved roadway in North American and can be traveled 28 miles (one way) from the town of Idaho Springs to the top of Mt. Evans 14,265 foot summit. At the summit you'll enjoy views of the entire front range of Colorado. Also, along the way you'll experience the highest of Rocky Mountain highs - above timberline with a mixture of hard wildflowers, lichens, pikas, marmots and rock-jumping mountain goats. The U.S. Forest Service Visitors Center, located at Exit 240 on I-70 can provide you with maps to explore the area. The road from Echo Lake to the summit is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, a fee is charged.
· Edgar Experimental Mine - The Edgar Experimental Mine is run by the faculty and staff of the Colorado School of Mines, where they try out the latest mining technology as well as try their hand at traditional mining techniques. Tours of the mine can be scheduled directly with the school.
· St. Mary's Glacier - St. Mary's Glacier is located up Fall River Road and is an invigorating hike for backcountry enthusiasts.
Empire
· The Peck House - established in 1862 was originally named the Stage Coach House and is the longest continually operating inn in the state of Colorado. You can still stay there today in one of eleven rooms, lovingly furnished with antiques. Let the owner, and resident chef of the Peck House, Gary St. Clair delight you with a delicious gourmet meal. The view of the Empire Valley can be seen from the dining room, the barroom and the front guestrooms of the hotel, looking south along the old wagon road over Union Pass to the town of Georgetown. Many nationally recognized figures that came to the pioneering gold and railroad country during the 1800s stayed at the Peck House including PT Barnum, Ulysses S. Grant and General Sherman.
· The Original Hard Rock Café - Empire can boast of having the first, and the original Hard Rock Café. Hard rock mining that is. The café is a wonderful gathering place for the community and provides hardy fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
· Rocky Mountain Village/Easter Seals Camp - The Rocky Mountain Village is an incredible facility filled with activity from mid-May through the end of August with campers from around the world enjoying hiking, fishing, horseback riding, crafts, computers and artistic activities. Because many of the campers are in wheelchairs, the trails have been meticulously maintained and are at a gradual slope so that everyone can access them. During the spring, fall and winter seasons, Rocky Mountain Village opens its doors to large groups (more than 20) looking for accommodations, meeting and convention space.
Georgetown
· Georgetown Lake is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream - from fishing year round, to canoeing in the summer, to ice racing in the winter, there is always something to do on this gorgeous lake. A herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep makes this area their home, and there is a viewing station located on the east side of the lake.
· Georgetown Loop Historic Railroad & Mining Park - All Aboard! The history of this magnificent railroad stretches back more than a century to the silver mining era. To connect the silver towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume engineers would have to climb more than 600 feet in elevation in just 2 miles while traversing some of Colorado's steepest canyon walls. It took seven years and 4 miles of track to build one of the world's most famous engineering marvels, the Devil's Gate High Bridge. Thanks to the Colorado Historical Society's restoration of the Devil's Gate Bridge in the 80's you can now make the 1 hour and 10 minute journey into the past. The train departs from Devil's Gate Boarding Area in Georgetown or from Silver Plume.
· Hamill House Museum - From its inception in 1867, this Gothic Revival home at 305 Argentine Street was Georgetown's most ambitions residential structure. William Arthur Hamill purchased the original house in 1874 and with the assistance of Denver architect Robert Roseschlaub, created the home that can be toured today. The conservatory, dining area and front parlor are particularly resplendent, with incredible woodwork, original wallpaper and hand colored tiles. The holidays truly come to life at Hamill House we invite you to attend the Hamill House annual holiday events.
· Hotel de Paris Museum - This incredible hotel museum owned by Louis Dupuy was the center of Georgetown's merchant trade during the 1870s and 1880s. Traveling salesmen from across the country would journey to Georgetown to sell their wares, especially after the railroad came through the area in the late 1870s. The antique furnishings, books and linens are all original to the hotel and are kept in the same rooms they were in at the time of Louis Dupuy's death. The hotel today is a property of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Colorado and is an incredible treasure to Georgetown.
· Georgetown Energy Museum - A working hydro-electric plant that still produces power in the same way as it was during the height of the mining era. This museum is open every day during the summer.
· Historic Downtown Shopping District - From a tiny mining camp in 1859 to a bustling center of commerce in the 1870s, Georgetown became the "Silver Queen of the Rockies" and forged a permanent place in Colorado history. Today, Georgetown's fascinating past is waiting for you with more than 250 historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Georgetown and Silver Plume are a National Historic Landmark District and provide a look into the past, from preserved miner's cabins, to merchant's homes, to shops, to the estates of the silver barons. Stroll down 6th street and purchase an ice cream cone from the working 1900s soda fountain. Stroll through galleries filled with artwork from some of Colorado's most talented artists. Step into Georgetown's oldest saloon and drink a local beer at the hand hewn bar. It's the authenticity - it's real Colorado.
Silver Plume
· George Rowe Museum - Once the center of activity as Silver Plume's school house, the George Rowe Museum is now a window on a time gone by. Come see the mining exhibits, sit in the old chairs behind the school desks and look for the areas where students carved their initials. The museum has an incredible pumper truck, as well as historic artifacts.
· Main Street Shops - When you stroll downtown Silver Plume's dirt streets, it's hard to imagine that this town of 200 full time residents used to be home to more than 2000 people. Imagine the street filled with braying mules and the accents of Cornish, Irish and Italian miners as they headed from the mines above town to the bars and shops downtown. You can still shop for antiques or enjoy a sandwich or ice cream on main street. Stop in for fresh baked bread at Sopp & Truscott, or enjoy high tea at Silver Plume Antiques.
· Georgetown Loop Depot - Silver Plume - Enjoy the incredible scenery and the rhythmic steam engine, as the Georgetown Loop Railroad makes its journey six times each day from Silver Plume down 800 feet to the community of Georgetown. Your roundtrip ticket will take you on an hour and 15 minute ride into the past.
Loveland Ski Area
· With more than 400 inches of snow each year, Loveland Ski Area in Clear Creek County literally allows you to get above it all. Loveland is located on the Continental Divide and its beautiful terrain from gently sloping beginner trails to THE RIDGE are sure to please skiers of all ages and abilities. Loveland is one of the first ski areas to open each year, so it is possible to be hitting the powder from late October through the beginning of May. Loveland Ski Area loves groups - and has adequate motor coach parking in its parking lots.
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