When the search for gold reached its zenith, Victor was one Colorado town that was growing faster than the gold-seekers could slap up tents. Today, it's a Victorian relic, caught in the web of time, changing little and liking it that way. Its 1890s architecture remains undisturbed by 21st century buildings.
Victor is high - nearly 10,000 feet above sea level - and it boasts the highest bridge in the state, the 250-foot bridge over Arequa Gulch. Remnants of old gold mines remind visitors of the town's history. Check out the Lowell Thomas Museum, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The museum is named after famed radio broadcaster Lowell Thomas, who was born here.
There aren't many stores in Victor, but you can buy a handmade broom, a souvenir or an old-fashioned ice cream soda, if you like. The Victor Hotel, which has undergone a major upgrade recently, provides a much quieter stay than the hotels in the casino-rich Cripple Creek, which is bustling till all hours.
Victor also is a jumping-off point for a couple of scenic drives, including the sometimes precarious Shelf and Phantom Canyon roads, the Gold Belt Scenic Byway and the historic Gold Camp Road to Colorado Springs. You can also enjoy hiking and biking the four Historic Mining Trails, which weave past various old mining structures, part of a collection of mining relics that make up the Golden Loop.
Community Resources:
Town of Victor
P.O. Box 86
Victor, CO 80860
719-689-2284
www.victorcolorado.com