Historic Clear Creek County

While on your Colorado vacation of camping, biking and hiking Colorado trails, white water rafting and skiing don’t forget to check out the historical sites.

Clear Creek County was created as a direct result of George Andrew Jackson’s discovery of gold on January 7, 1859.  Although he attempted to keep the discovery a secret, it only lasted until April of 1859, when the current location of Idaho Springs was inundated with its first group of miners.  But the first settlement was actually two miles above Idahoe and was named Spanish Bar, due to the evidence of earlier mining by the Spanish Conquistadors.

Clear Creek is a diverse county, with 86% of the land national forest.  It is one of the seventeen original counties and one of the three left in the state with its original boundaries.  Mining districts were founded creating their laws and civil government in order to protect their claims from claim jumpers, thieves, murderers, and all other unlawful acts.  On November 1, 1861 the territorial Legislature of Colorado subdivided the territory into seventeen counties and Idahoe was named the county seat in the legislative act of establishment.  Colorado governor Gilpin appointed the first three county commissioners to organize the civil government of Clear Creek County. In November of 1861, the commissioners meet and divided the county into seven voting precincts.  The first county election resulted in elections for a sheriff, clerk and recorder, treasurer, assessor, county attorney, superintendent of schools, and a probate judge.

As more and more miners moved into the county, the prospecting moved west following Clear Creek which runs most of the length of the county.  Founded Georgetown while John Dumont settled in the Mill City area (now Dumont).  When Mill City was built in 1860 all the homes were, naturally, log cabins.  In 1860, the settlement was renamed Dumont, in honor of the founder, John M. Dumont.  Shortly after, Dumont was awarded their first post office.

Further west the Griffith brothers, David and George, were instrumental in settling Georgetown where they discovered the rich silver veins.  In 1867, the Colorado Legislature called a special election and the county seat was moved from Idaho Springs to Georgetown.  Georgetown was incorporated in 1885 and established their post office in 1866.

Today Clear Creek County is one of the best kept secrets in Colorado.  Whether you are planning a one day visit or a complete vacation, Clear Creek County will not disappoint.  Remember – we are nearby and near perfect!

Not To Be Missed – Historic Clear Creek County

The Hamill House

305 Argentine Street, Georgetown – contact Historic Georgetown – (303) 569-2840

A wealthy mining entrepreneur’s home – Construction Date: 1867-1879 – The Hamill House Museum is the centerpiece of Historic Georgetown, Inc.’s comprehensive residential interpretation of the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District (designated 1966) within the context of the Rocky Mountain Mining West. The Hamill House Museum interprets 19th century residential living in Georgetown, Colorado: including architecture, furnishing, Victorian plants, landscaping, social and cultural lifestyles.

The Bowman-White House

901 Rose St. Georgetown

Professional and miner owner’s home – Construction Date: 1892 – The Bowman-White House reflects the upper class and professional people of early Georgetown. The Italianate structure is accented with Queen Anne details and at the time of construction, contained over 2400 square feet of living space.

The Johnson Cabin

9th Street, Georgetown

Early prospector’s log cabin – Construction Date: c1870 – This log cabin was a pioneer prospector’s home. It is one of the few remaining log cabins, typical of many that once dotted the Clear Creek valley.

The simple log structure represents one of the earliest and most common types of construction in the mining west.

The Heritage Museum

The Heritage Museum exhibits a number of artifacts from the 1860′s to the 1940′s that tell the story of George A. Jackson’s discovery of gold in 1859 and the resulting rush that transformed the valley. In addition to our mining story, the Museum has a collection of Indian artifacts, fire

Underhill Museum

A glimpse at Life in the Early 1900s.  Dr. James Underhill came to Idaho Springs in 1897 and was a prominent Colorado surveyor and mining engineer. Underhill was a Harvard graduate who wrote a number of books on surveying. He surveyed many of the city plots and mines in and around Idaho Springs. He was also a professor at the Colorado School of Mines, and it is worth noting that he was the first person in Colorado to earn his doctorate in geology.

Charlie Tayler Waterwheel

Idaho Springs

Contemporary View of the Still Operable Waterwheel – On holidays, the waterwheel is decorated to celebrate our mining history. It is maintained by volunteers and is one of several historic properties protected by the City and the Historical Society of Idaho Springs.

The Charlie Tayler Water Wheel is located at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. The largest water wheel in Colorado, it was built by Charlie Tayler in 1893, who attributed his robust health to never shaving, never bathing and never kissing women.

The Central Hose House

Idaho Springs

The Central Hose House, circa 1912, was renovated and restored in 2009 in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the major Colorado gold discovery in Idaho Springs. The Central Hose House was dedicated on June 12, 2010 on Firefighter Day. Exhibits include hose carts, a hand pulled hook and ladder wagon, memorabilia, and the tower with hose drying racks and a fire alarm system utilizing a telegraph device to activate the bell.

Georgetown Energy Museum

600 Griffith Street, Georgetown (303) 569-3557

The ‎ Georgetown Energy Museum is located in a fully functional hydroelectric plant which has been in operation since 1900.  The museum is owned and operated by Xcel Energy and has a display of ehibitis and photographs and early household appliances all related to the early use of electric in the area.  Call or visit the website for the current opening days and hours.  Admission is free.

Resources

Clear Creek County Historic Society
Clear Creek County Offices
405 Argentine St., P.O. Box 2000, Georgetown, CO 80444, 303-679-2357

HistoricGeorgetown.org
Historic Georgetown, a Colorado non-profit corporation, was created to initiate, encourage and integrate efforts to preserve the rich heritage of the Georgetown/Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District.
305 Argentine Street,P.O. Box 667 Georgetown,CO 80444, 303-569-2840

HistoricIdahoSprings.com
2060 Miner Street, P.O. Box 1318, Idaho Springs, CO 80452-1318, 303-567-4382