Cripple Creek

Today is our last day in Colorado Springs, tomorrow we leave for New Mexico.  We decided we would drive out to an old gold mining town, Cripple Creek. Back in the day, when Bob was a Spec 4 at Fort Carson, he used to take his '62 VW over Cheyenne Mountain to go to the cities of Victor and Cripple Creek.  When we checked at the Visitor Center about directions.  The docent said if we liked 4-wheeling we could go over the mountain, so that road is still there, but we took a modern highway.

Fort Carson where Bob was stationed is at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain where we are staying.

The highway up had beautiful Aspen trees turning from green to bright oranges and gold.

We thought these trees were Birches but learned they were Aspens.

Our first stop was at the Heritage Center.

On October 20, 1890, Robert Miller "Bob" Womack discovered a rich ore and the last great Colorado gold rush was on.  Thousand of prospectors flocked to the region, and  before long W. S. Stratton located the famous independence lode, one of the largest gold strikes in history.  In three years, the population increased from 500 to 10,000 by 1893.

The Heritage Center was a beautiful three story building with an incredible view.  The main floor told the story of Cripple Creek as a mining camp town.

The top floor had dinosaur bones and fossils.

The bottom floor had mining equipment,

carriages,

and covered wagons.

We headed into town.  In 1961, Cripple Creek became a Historical Landmark.

The cities buildings have been restored and most have been turned into casinos.

 Yes, in 1991 the city introduced gaming and it has become one of the major industries of Cripple Creek.  Mining is still done in Cripple Creek and its sister city Victor.  The old underground mines are exhausted, but open pit mining has operated since 1994.

Cripple Creek is 9494 ft. elevation.  It was about 65 degrees when we were there about 1:00 pm.  When we returned to the RV is was 85 degrees.