Victor, Colorado

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Gold was discovered in the area in 1890...the fever spread like wildfire, bringing thousands to the Pikes Peak area, the largest boom of its kind to hit the West. In 1890 and 1891 prospectors discovered the rich gold ore that touched off the legendary Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Rush. The ranching country on Pikes Peak's western slopes was quickly transformed as prospectors flocked to the area to seek their fortunes in gold. Towns sprang up on the sunny mountainsides as did over 500 gold mines, all requiring fuel, supplies and transportation. It became a priority to link the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District to Colorado Springs, and beyond. Two stage roads and three railroads were built to carry lumber, food, coal, ore and people to and from the mining district towns and goldfields.

Victor, Colorado's modern-day treasures are the results of its rich gold rush history. Victor, about 5 miles from Cripple Creek, was platted in 1893. By that time it was already known as the City of Mines because the largest and richest gold mines of the Cripple Creek Mining District were located on Battle Mountain just above Victor. Today head frames of the Ajax, Strong and Independence give Victor its historic gold mining atmosphere.

The streets of Victor were paved with gold during the hey day of the 1890's gold rush. Today the streets are lined with a wealth of history as century-plus-old buildings stand as legacy to the hustle and bustle of previous times. Today's Victor is quiet, offering an authentic 1890's mining town get-away. The downtown is undergoing a rejuvenation with new sidewalks, sprucing up of the facades and newly paved streets.

Hiking trails offers a close-up look at the gold rush and spectacular mountain scenery that surrounds Victor. The Victor Lowell Thomas Museum houses artifacts and displays that depict the town's golden history - as well a room full of memorabilia from America's celebrated radio and television journalist Lowell Thomas, gold panning and modern mine tours. Victor's Gold Camp Ag & Mining Museum houses antique tractors and sponsors a tractor pull each Gold Rush Days.

Street-side benches and views from several historic interpretive trails offer a look at the golden era of the 1890s gold rush that made this area famous.