As land was gobbled up by the first miners to Idaho Springs, miners from Central City were descending upon Empire. The first gold discovery of any consequence was made by Henry DeWitt Clinton Cowles and Edgar F. Freeman. In the fall of 1860 they struck silver, the first true fissure lode ever discovered in Colorado. By 1861 a citizens committee had formed to define boundaries, draft laws, and name the mountains and streams. The second building built was a cabin which served as a courthouse, sheriff’s office, recorder’s office and the town hall.
Empire enjoyed prosperity from 1861 to 1865. When the easy gold played out, silver in Georgetown provided the siren song pulling many miners from Empire. 
By 1873 Congress removed silver parity with gold and demonetized silver. Overnight Empire was booming again. By 1875 the Union Pass road to Georgetown was complete as well as the Georgetown, Middle Park, and Empire wagon road over the great Snowy Range to Grand County. Today the 4 mile Union Pass road still exists as a hiking trail.
In 1862 the Peck House was built by James and Mary Grace Parsons Peck. Any visit to Clear Creek County should include a visit to the oldest hotel extant in the state. The Peck House is operated today by Gary and Sally St. Clair as a hotel and restaurant.
Today Empire is the gateway to Berthoud Pass, the ski areas of Winter Park and Sol Vista, and Rocky Mountain National Park.