Old Colorado City History

Old Colorado City History. . , 1891-1913 A Colorful Town , Overnight train layovers resulted in 21 bars, gambling dens and bordellos in Colorado City. Queen Laura Belle and Prairie Dog O'Byrne raced down Colorado Ave, pulled by the elk Thunder and Buttons. , 1859-1862 Gold Rush Era , Aug. 12, 1859 Colorado City was founded as a gold rush supply town below Ute Pass. It became the territorial capitol in 1862. Thousands of gold seekers passed through, 1896-1949 Gold Mills , Four great gold mills built in Colorado City, included the Golden Cycle, closed in 1949. 14 million tons of gold ore tailings and the 1908 smoke stack remain., 1861-1865 Civil War , Texas Confederates tried to invade Colorado in 1862. Company "A” recruited in Colorado City. The 1st Colorado Vol. Infantry Regiment marched south and defeated the rebels at Glorieta Pass, New Mexico. All encamped here., 1917 Westside , Colorado City was annexed to Colorado Springs in 1917. It became a quiet neighborhood with library, churches, schools, businesses and Victorian frame homes., 1867 Indians , Several tribes passed through Colorado City regularly up Ute Pass to South Park. During this harsh winter, friendly Uted encamped at their traditional site on Fountain Creek, next to Colorado City. , 1976 "Rebirth" Old Town , The Westside had a rebirth in 1976 withany historic homes preserved, business buildingd and library renovated. The city became a National Historic Dist. in 1982., 1888-1948 Railroads , The standard gauge Midland Railroad yards were in Colorado City. The railroad served several points west. Narrow gauge D&RG stopped in Manitou Springs. Colorado City became the transfer point for thousands of gold and silver seekers