Nestled in the shadows of Pikes Peak, Cripple Creek, Colorado, stands as a testament to the American West’s insatiable pursuit of fortune. This historic mining town, once hailed as one of the world’s most prolific gold camps, has a captivating past marked by grand discoveries, devastating fires, and remarkable transformations. The story of Cripple Creek is one of enduring spirit, from its humble beginnings as a vast ranch to its glittering peak as a gold-mining mecca, and its modern-day reinvention as a vibrant tourist and gambling destination.
The Early Gold Strikes and False Starts
The allure of gold first touched the Pikes Peak region in 1874 when T.H. Lowe made an initial discovery near the future site of Cripple Creek. Though he quickly organized a prospecting party, the amount of gold found was insufficient to sustain serious mining efforts, and the prospectors soon dispersed. A decade later, in 1884, excitement flared again with rumors of “Chicken Bill” unearthing nuggets by the handful. This brief gold frenzy attracted over three thousand men, only for them to discover it was an elaborate hoax—a “salted” mine designed to lure unsuspecting prospectors. Disappointment led to another exodus, cementing the area’s reputation for unfulfilled promises.
It wasn’t until December 1890 that the true potential of the region was unearthed by Bob Womack. His genuine gold discovery initially met with skepticism, due to the previous hoax. However, by the summer of 1891, Womack struck a remarkably rich vein. Unfortunately, in a moment of drunken celebration, he foolishly sold his valuable mine for a mere $500. News of Womack’s legitimate find spread like wildfire, triggering a genuine gold rush. Claims were staked across a six-square-mile area, laying the foundation for what would soon become the legendary Cripple Creek Gold Camp.
Birth and Boom of a Gold Camp
As tents and cabins rapidly appeared, a formal mining district was organized in the fall of 1891. The camp adopted its name from the local creek, which cowboys had previously dubbed “Cripple Creek” due to the number of cattle injured while crossing its rocky waters. Denver real estate developers Horance Bennett and Julius Myers, owners of the land, quickly platted 80 acres for a townsite. Initially planning to name the town Fremont, they were forced to choose another name due to an existing Fremont, Colorado, eventually settling on Cripple Creek. By its official incorporation in 1892, the gold camp already boasted a population exceeding 5,000 residents.
The early 1890s saw substantial growth. Placer mining initially sustained the burgeoning community, and by 1892, two stage lines were transporting people to Cripple Creek from Divide and Cañon City. The following year proved pivotal: two major mines were discovered and developed, and the national shift to the gold standard prompted thousands of displaced silver miners to flock to Cripple Creek, seeking new opportunities. As mining operations delved deeper, the gold veins grew richer, fostering the development of satellite camps like Victor, located several miles away. Cripple Creek, however, remained the established heart of the district.
Life on Myers Avenue: The Red Light District
Like many booming gold towns, Cripple Creek quickly established a vibrant, albeit rough, commercial scene. Alongside legitimate businesses, a proliferation of saloons and brothels emerged. Initially situated on the main thoroughfare, Bennett Avenue, these establishments were eventually moved by Marshal Wilson to Myers Avenue to maintain order. This new district quickly earned its notorious reputation as the Red Light District, becoming one of the liveliest streets in the entire American Old West. The saying “There’ll be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight” is famously attributed to the twenty-four-hour revelry on Myers Avenue, where parlor houses, “cribs,” and dance halls catered to the free-spending miners. Among its most legendary figures was Pearl de Vere, the celebrated madam who arrived in 1893. Her “Old Homestead” was the epitome of opulence, charging $250 a night—a staggering sum when a miner’s good daily wage was $3. Her grand funeral years later underscored her prominence in Cripple Creek society.
The Arrival of the Railroads and Civic Development
The mid-1890s marked a new era of connectivity for Cripple Creek with the arrival of the railroads. The Cripple Creek railroad, arriving from Cañon City, celebrated its first steam engine’s arrival on July 2, 1894. The Midland Terminal soon followed in December 1895, traversing the Ute Pass from Colorado Springs and serving the town for over fifty years. By 1896, the city’s population swelled to 10,000. That year also saw the opening of the Cripple Creek Stock Exchange and the completion of the National Hotel, an impressive structure boasting 150 rooms, 40 suites, Turkish baths, and its own electric light plant, symbolizing the town’s prosperity and sophistication.
The Great Fires of 1896 and Resilient Rebuilding
Cripple Creek’s ascent was dramatically interrupted in April 1896 by two devastating fires. The first blaze erupted on April 25, sparked by a quarrel between a dancehall girl, Jennie Larue, and her lover, which resulted in an overturned gasoline stove. The fire quickly consumed nearly half the city’s wooden structures. Despite aid from neighboring fire departments, little could be done to stop the rapidly spreading flames.
Just four days later, while the town was still smoldering, a second, more catastrophic fire broke out. Originating in the Portland Hotel on Myers Avenue, this fire was suspected to be arson, with other simultaneous fires reported across the city. The second inferno annihilated eight more blocks, claimed six lives, and left approximately 4,000 residents homeless. When the smoke cleared, fewer than ten buildings remained. The suspected arsonists were swiftly dealt with through mob justice, and Cripple Creek immediately began to rebuild. Within months, modern businesses constructed of brick and stone replaced the wooden structures, a testament to the town’s unwavering resilience and its deep pockets of gold.
Peak Prosperity and Gradual Decline
Emerging from the ashes, Cripple Creek continued to thrive. The Butte Opera House was remodeled in 1897, bringing culture to the recovering city. By 1898, gold production soared to an astonishing $16 million, further increasing to $21 million by 1899, the year Cripple Creek was designated the County Seat. The turn of the century saw the district reach its zenith. By 1900, annual gold production hit $23 million, with over 500 mines in operation. The Cripple Creek Times reported a staggering 55,000 citizens in the Mining District, with 35,000 residing in Cripple Creek itself. The Teller County School System was among the best in the nation, reflecting the community’s commitment to progress.
However, the rich veins of gold eventually began to diminish. By 1920, only about 40 mines remained active, and production dwindled to $4 million. A brief revival in the 1930s offered a glimmer of hope, but by 1945, fewer than 20 mines were operating, yielding only about $1 million annually. The era of the grand gold rush was definitively over.
From Mining Hub to Tourist Destination
Facing the prospect of becoming a ghost town, the citizens of Cripple Creek pivoted, embracing their rich history to attract tourists. The Imperial Hotel began hosting melodramas in its Gold Bar Room Theatre in the 1940s, and the Cripple Creek District Museum opened in the old Midland Terminal depot in 1953. In 1967, the Cripple Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad began operations, offering scenic rides and a taste of the past. Despite these efforts, tourism began to wane by the 1980s. To prevent total decline, Colorado authorized limited-stakes gambling in Cripple Creek, Central City, and Blackhawk, injecting new life and saving these historic towns from oblivion.
Today, Cripple Creek is a lively destination, offering a diverse array of events and attractions. Visitors can enjoy summer celebrations, art shows, fall aspen tours, rodeos, symphony performances, and craft shows. The surrounding landscape remains dotted with old mine shafts, headframes, and cabins, inviting exploration through driving tours and hiking trails. Signature events include Donkey Derby Days, held annually in June, and nearby Victor’s Gold Rush Days in July. Though its mining glory days are past, Cripple Creek proudly retains its status as the county seat of Teller County, home to nearly 1,200 residents. Its Cripple Creek Historic District, a National Historic Landmark since 1961, encompasses much of the city and its environs, preserving the legacy of this remarkable gold camp. Accessible via U.S. Highway 24 and Colorado Highway 67 from Colorado Springs, with convenient shuttle services, Cripple Creek continues to tell its compelling story to all who visit.
