Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Buckskin Joe, Colorado, represents a quintessential tale of the American West: a vibrant boomtown, a quiet ghost town, and ultimately, a unique historical attraction that found itself relocated. This storied settlement, also known as Laurette during its early days, witnessed the ebb and flow of fortune seekers, pioneering spirits, and the relentless pursuit of gold. The legacy of Buckskin Joe, Colorado, is etched not only in its rich history but also in the enduring legends that continue to captivate.
The Genesis of Buckskin Joe
The origins of what would become Buckskin Joe, Colorado, trace back to 1859, when a prospector named Mr. Phillips staked a claim approximately two miles west of present-day Alma. Deeming his initial find unpromising, Phillips soon moved on, unknowingly leaving behind a fortune. His claim was quickly taken over by Joseph Higginbottom, a colorful character renowned for his distinctive buckskin attire, which earned him the moniker “Buckskin Joe.” As more miners flocked to the area, attracted by rumors of gold, the burgeoning camp adopted Higginbottom’s nickname, and thus, Buckskin Joe was born.
Interestingly, Higginbottom himself quickly departed, trading his mining rights for a gun and a horse, and surrendering his water rights to settle a whiskey debt before venturing to the San Juan Mountains. Despite his early exit, the camp’s destiny was sealed shortly thereafter when significant gold deposits were unearthed nearby. News of these rich strikes spread like wildfire, triggering a veritable gold rush. By the spring of 1860, a steady stream of miners poured into the district. Sluice boxes proliferated along Buckskin Creek, yielding substantial amounts of gold. Initially, rudimentary Spanish arrastra methods were employed, but as the scale of operations grew, a mill was constructed to process the soft ore. By September 1860, virtually all claims in the district had been purchased, with an estimated 2,000 men actively engaged in mining endeavors.
As the camp blossomed into a proper town, there were efforts to officially name it Laurette, a portmanteau of Laura and Jeanette Dodge, said to be the only two women residing there at the time. However, the informal name of Buckskin Joe had already taken firm root among the populace, and it ultimately prevailed.
Boom and Bust: Life in a Thriving Camp
By 1861, Buckskin Joe had established its own post office, boasting a remarkable infrastructure for a frontier settlement: two hotels, 14 stores, and a bank. Among the most prominent establishments was the store operated by Horace and Augusta Tabor, who arrived in August 1861. Their enterprise quickly became the most successful in the region. Horace Tabor, a shrewd businessman, invested heavily in local mines and was appointed postmaster, while Augusta skillfully managed the post office, albeit unofficially at first. Horace increasingly immersed himself in civic affairs, laying groundwork for his later renown.
The town also attracted itinerant preachers, including Father John L. Dyer, a Methodist minister from Ohio. Father Dyer’s circuit was extensive, encompassing Fairplay, Park City, Buckskin Joe, and Breckenridge. To supplement meager parishioner contributions, Dyer often prospected for gold and served as a mail carrier, undertaking weekly, arduous treks from Mosquito Gulch and Buckskin Joe over mountain passes to Leadville and Breckenridge. Undeterred by brutal winters or unimproved roads, he frequently navigated deep snow on ten-foot-long skis, carrying 30 pounds of mail, delivering both earthly messages and spiritual guidance. In January 1862, Buckskin Joe’s growing prominence was officially recognized when the Park County Seat relocated there from Tarryall, itself now a ghost town.
At its zenith, Buckskin Joe thrived, with a population estimated at 3,000 people. Its bustling main street was lined with stores, an assay office, a courthouse, two banks, a newspaper, a mill, and three hotels. The town’s vibrant social scene was punctuated by several saloons, gambling halls, and traveling minstrel shows. The mining district was remarkably productive, reportedly yielding an astonishing 16 million dollars in gold between 1859 and the mill’s closure in 1866. However, by 1866, the area’s rich gold deposits had largely played out, signaling the beginning of the end for the original boomtown. Most residents, ever in pursuit of new fortunes, departed for other mining camps and towns across the Rocky Mountains. In 1867, the courthouse building was dismantled and moved down the valley to Fairplay, which assumed the role of the new county seat.
Despite the exodus, a few stalwarts remained. J.P. Stansell, for instance, made a considerable fortune working the Phillips Mine’s residue long after others had left. Horace Tabor, too, lingered for a time before moving on to Leadville, where he would eventually strike it rich.
Echoes from the Past: The Buckskin Joe Cemetery
Today, the most tangible remnant of the original Buckskin Joe, Colorado, is its historic cemetery, located near the present-day town of Alma. A somber yet revealing historical record, the cemetery’s tombstones offer poignant insights into the harsh realities faced by the miners and settlers. A notable increase in burials between 1861 and 1862 reflects the challenges of frontier life. The tragic story of young Thomas Fahey, whose body was discovered in June after he vanished from his cabin on a blustery February day en route to his mine, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers. Many of the miners were immigrants from Europe, with some gravestones bearing images of their homelands and inscriptions in their native tongues. The craftsmanship displayed in the ornate rails and gates of some gravesites surprisingly outlasted the modest cabins and structures of the town. The cemetery continues to be used by the community of Alma, preserving a vital link to this historic past.
Legends and Lore: Spirits of Buckskin Joe
The Legend of Silver Heels
Among the most enduring and beloved tales from Buckskin Joe, Colorado, is that of “Silver Heels,” a dance hall girl whose arrival in 1861 captivated the entire mining camp. Her true name remains unknown, overshadowed by the moniker given to her by the miners, possibly inspired by her dazzling dance shoes or enchanting performances. Showered with gifts and pleas to stay, Silver Heels, initially planning to move on, agreed to remain in Buckskin Joe.
Tragedy struck in the winter of 1861 when a deadly smallpox epidemic swept through the camp, sickening families and miners almost overnight. The dirt road to the cemetery became a grim procession of the living carrying the dead. Despite urgent requests to Denver for nurses, none came. In this harrowing time, Silver Heels emerged as a true heroine. She fearlessly moved from cabin to cabin, nursing the sick, caring for families, and burying the deceased. By the spring of 1862, the worst of the epidemic had passed, but Silver Heels herself had vanished. Searches proved fruitless; her cabin was empty. Some believe she contracted smallpox, leaving her once beautiful face horribly scarred, prompting her to retreat from public view. Years later, a heavily veiled woman was reportedly seen in the Buckskin Joe cemetery, sparking speculation that it might have been the beloved Silver Heels. In gratitude, the local community named a nearby mountain “Mount Silver Heels” in her honor.
To this day, legend has it that Silver Heels never truly left. Community members claim to have witnessed the ghost-like presence of a heavily veiled woman dressed in black, walking through the cemetery, carrying flowers. This spectral figure, once beautiful but scarred, is said to vanish into the mountain air if approached, a poignant echo of a cherished spirit.
The Restless Bones of J. Dawson Hidgepath
Another spectral tale from the region concerns the restless spirit of J. Dawson Hidgepath. Dawson arrived in Fairplay seeking both gold and a wife, but found only tragedy. In July 1865, his broken, lifeless body was discovered at the base of Mount Boss, a victim of a several-hundred-foot fall while prospecting. Following his burial in the Buckskin Joe Cemetery, an inexplicable phenomenon began: Dawson’s bones were repeatedly found on the bed of a prostitute in Alma. Despite reburials by bewildered townspeople, the bones consistently reappeared at the homes of various “fair ladies.” By 1872, the bizarre occurrences surrounding Dawson’s bones were statewide gossip, with frustrated residents resorting to drastic measures like throwing them down outhouses. The precise nature of the “force” preventing Dawson’s bones from resting remains a mystery, but local lore suggests it still resides within the old cemetery.
The Rebirth and Relocation of Buckskin Joe
Decades after its original demise, the spirit of Buckskin Joe experienced an unexpected revival. In the 1950s, Karol Smith harbored a vision to restore the historic town, eventually collaborating with Don Tyner, owner of the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway, and Malcolm F. Brown, an art director at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. Together, they embarked on an ambitious project: to recreate Buckskin Joe, Colorado, as a tourist attraction. An expansive parcel of land, approximately eight miles east of Cañon City and adjacent to the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway, was acquired for this purpose.
The recreation was meticulous, with each building and structure designed to represent an actual edifice from the original town. All structures were authentic, salvaged from various ghost towns across the region. Notably, the original Tabor Store building, the last remaining structure at the first Buckskin Joe townsite, was carefully moved to the new location. Each building was acquired, painstakingly dismantled at its original site, transported to the new location, and then meticulously reassembled to form a historically accurate representation of a mid-1800s mining town. The new Buckskin Joe opened to the public in 1958, striving to recreate an authentic Old West atmosphere, complete with period dress and a ban on modern vehicles on its main street.
For 53 years, Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway captivated visitors, combining Colorado history with family entertainment. The park featured hourly gunfights, historical performances, live entertainment, barnyard animals, buggies, wagons, and a unique Concord-type stagecoach. Its authentic setting even attracted filmmakers, with John Wayne shooting movies there in the early 1970s and the History Channel filming a documentary, “The Haunted Rockies,” in 2001. However, in the summer of 2010, owner Greg Tabuteau announced the sale of the tourist attraction. In August 2011, it was revealed that billionaire William Koch had purchased the property. Koch, a collector of Old West memorabilia, orchestrated the relocation of most of the buildings, including the historic Tabor Store, to his 6,400-acre Bear Ranch near Gunnison, Colorado. There, the reassembled town serves as a private display for his extensive collection, accessible only to friends and family.
Conclusion
The journey of Buckskin Joe, Colorado, from a booming gold camp to a deserted ghost town, then to a popular tourist attraction, and finally to a private historical display, is a testament to the dynamic and often transient nature of the American West. Its story, rich with the toil of miners, the ambition of entrepreneurs like Horace Tabor, and the heroism of figures like Silver Heels, continues to resonate. Though its physical location has shifted multiple times, the historical significance and captivating legends of Buckskin Joe remain an indelible part of Colorado’s heritage, forever preserving the memory of a place shaped by gold, dreams, and the unyielding spirit of the frontier.
