If you love history, you should visit the museums in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Blevins Davis and Richard Wayne Johnson founded the museum in 1953. The museum features five historic buildings. In addition, it offers various classes on local history and culture. While visiting the museum, you should plan your visit in advance, as admission is free. In addition, the museum offers free tours and other fun activities for all ages. You can visit the museum at 510 Bennett Dr, Cripple Creek, CO 80813.
The museum also houses thousands of local history archives, including Sanborn maps, city directories, and business ledgers. You can also see the Old Homestead, which was built after the town burned down and is the only surviving original brothel. The museum tells stories about the women who worked there and the men who visited them. For a more personal experience, you can tour the museum’s restored old house, a replica of the town’s old brothel.
The museum is situated in the former Midland-Terminal Railroad Depot. It also contains the former Colorado Trading and Transfer building, which is now the museum’s Gift Shop. Other exhibits at the museum include a Victorian apartment and a turn-of-the-century wooden cabin. You can buy reproduction Victorian china and artwork by local artists. The museum is open year-round, but you should plan your visit for the spring or early summer.
Learn About Fox Run Regional Park
The town’s history is not without its share of outlaws and criminals. The Outlaws and LawMen Jail Museum gives you an idea of what life was like in the early days of Cripple Creek. You can see original jail cells, old police logs, and newspaper clippings. And don’t forget to check out the Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum, which is housed in an old jail building. You can also see the infamous life behind bars.
You can also visit the town’s history by taking a train ride. The Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad runs from mid-May to mid-October. The ride includes informative audio narration and includes stops at many historical mines. It also passes an old trestle and numerous historic mines. The museum is worth checking out while visiting Cripple Creek, Colorado. The town’s history is well worth exploring.
Another great place to visit while in Cripple Creek is the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. This is just half an hour’s drive from Cripple Creek. The fossil bed displays are detailed and fascinating. There are self-guided trails for visitors to follow. You can learn about the evolution of the dinosaurs from the fossil beds. It is also a good place to see the evolution of the region’s past.
The town was originally part of El Paso County until 1861. After a strike in 1894, miners west of Pikes Peak became disgruntled with the wealthy business owners and mine owners in Colorado Springs. Ultimately, the west side of the mountain broke away from El Paso County in March 1899 and formed Teller County. Cripple Creek became the county seat. This history-rich town has many fun family attractions and year-round events.
