Mining Boom
“There’s gold in them ‘thar hills.” Stories about gold in Colorado dated back as far as the 16th century. But it wasn’t until 1858, that these rumors became a reality. Explorer Zebulon Pike first heard about the stories from a trapper named James Purcell. In July of 1858, two groups – the Russell Party (lead by William Green Russell) and the Cherokees (lead by John Beck) – were successful in finding gold along the South Platte River in the heart of modern-day Denver. By the time these men returned home they found that stories of their discovery had already spread, leading to the peak of the gold rush in 1859.
From Denver to Leadville, towns and cities were established to meet the needs of gold seekers and silver miners. Although there were great riches to be found, many did not find it in gold, but rather in other minerals such as silver ore, lead and zinc. Mining was perhaps one of the greatest influences on Colorado as we know it today. This rich history can be experienced from mountain mine tours and gold panning to Main Streets and museums that showcase the rich history of this important time period.