The Past Comes to Life in Historic Breckenridge

Nearly 150 years ago, prospectors discovered gold along the Blue River and the mining town of Breckenridge was born. Today, there are dozens of historic structures in Breckenridge, making it one of the largest historic districts in Colorado.

While it’s hard today to imagine Breckenridge as a rugged mining community, families can still experience what life was once like in this Rocky Mountain town more than 100 years ago. Kids and adults alike can discover Breckenridge’s colorful past by visiting the home of Barney Ford, an escaped slave who became one of Breckenridge’s most prominent businessmen, by taking a tour of the Edwin Carter Museum, where Carter – a miner turned naturalist – collected and preserved thousands of animals, and by learning first-hand about mining life at the Washington and Lomax Placer Mines, two authentic working mines from the late-1800’s (mines are open in the summer months).

Families can also get a glimpse into the past by taking a guided historic walking tour through the downtown area. On this tour, visitors can hear the story of Tom’s Baby, a 13 pound gold nugget discovered in 1887, learn about Father Dyer, an itinerant preacher who traveled on 14-footlong skis to spread his message to local mining camps, and hear how locals survived the snow of 1898, when it snowed so much that residents were forced to build snow tunnels to get around town.

In 2009, Breckenridge celebrates its 150th Anniversary. As part of the celebration, the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance will unveil additional historic sites, projects and special events for families to discover, including the reintroduction of Engine #9, (the train that originally steamed over Boreas Pass into Breckenridge in the late 1800’s) as well as interpretive sites in the Golden Horseshoe, a horseshoe-shaped, 8,000 acre recreational area rich in gold finds and old mining camps.

Be sure to keep up with the latest news and events by visiting us at www.breckheritage.com or by calling (800) 980-1859.