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Past still present in
Cañon City, Colorado
Story by Kathryn Retzler
Photography © James Burke
Much of Cañon
City’s downtown was built between 1899 and 1910. It was during that time
that the gold and silver barons infused the city with their newfound
wealth from the nearby mining “camps” of Leadville and Cripple Creek.
While these towns were still booming, many of Colorado’s high country
mining towns had peaked and were suffering the disastrous effects of
the Silver Panic of 1893, after which U.S. currency was no longer based
on silver. In its place, gold became king.
Gilded by its discovery, especially in nearby Cripple Creek, Cañon City quickly prospered. Men were becoming rich and sought a place to display their new wealth. Brothels and gaming halls aside, the mining camps, plagued by fire and cold weather, were not the most habitable places to live or raise a family.
The riches flowed downhill, and
Cañon City was an ideal repository. Served by three
railroads—Denver & Rio Grande (connecting to Leadville via the
Royal Gorge), the Santa Fe, and The Florence & Cripple
Creek—Cañon was a natural transition point and a gateway to
interstate commerce. Geographically, it was a pleasant place to build
and to live. The Arkansas River valley provided plenty of food
and natural resources. The lower elevation and location away from the
windswept great plains meant a temperate climate—a fact the Indians had
long appreciated. And, unlike its industrial neighbors, Denver and
Pueblo, Cañon sported clear skies.
The gold barons became land barons as well, and dumped their wealth into real estate. A prime lot could be had for less than $1,000! Impressive brick buildings soon lined a bustling Main Street. Ornate homes proliferated. Business and service providers followed, and they, too, quickly prospered.
Cañon City still prospers today, although the gold mines are mostly gone, and the railroad, now the Royal Gorge Route, carries visitors instead of miners and mining supplies.
Gilded by its discovery, especially in nearby Cripple Creek, Cañon City quickly prospered. Men were becoming rich and sought a place to display their new wealth. Brothels and gaming halls aside, the mining camps, plagued by fire and cold weather, were not the most habitable places to live or raise a family.
The riches flowed downhill, and
Cañon City was an ideal repository. Served by three
railroads—Denver & Rio Grande (connecting to Leadville via the
Royal Gorge), the Santa Fe, and The Florence & Cripple
Creek—Cañon was a natural transition point and a gateway to
interstate commerce. Geographically, it was a pleasant place to build
and to live. The Arkansas River valley provided plenty of food
and natural resources. The lower elevation and location away from the
windswept great plains meant a temperate climate—a fact the Indians had
long appreciated. And, unlike its industrial neighbors, Denver and
Pueblo, Cañon sported clear skies. The gold barons became land barons as well, and dumped their wealth into real estate. A prime lot could be had for less than $1,000! Impressive brick buildings soon lined a bustling Main Street. Ornate homes proliferated. Business and service providers followed, and they, too, quickly prospered.
Cañon City still prospers today, although the gold mines are mostly gone, and the railroad, now the Royal Gorge Route, carries visitors instead of miners and mining supplies.
While visiting Cañon City and
touring the Victorian homes (related story), please stop by the Chamber
of Commerce at 403 Royal Gorge Blvd. (Hwy 50). The staff can
assist you with
travel planning, information,
directions, and literature about the area. 719-275-2331. Open
Mon.-Sat., 8 am-5 pm May 1-Sep. 30, 8 am-6 pm Every Day.
800-876-7922 • www.canoncity.com