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Colorado Boomtown Railroad 1894-1912
Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad
Excerpts from the 1896 F&CC RR Timetable
Florence
(1896), population 3,000 produces every day in the year 2,500 barrels
of oil, 5,000 tons of coal, and natural gas for domestic uses. A young city with such resources
must have a brilliant future. Florence has two very large reduction
plants, erected for treating the ores of the great gold camp of Cripple
Creek. Florence is located in the fertile valley of the Arkansas River,
in the midst of rich farms that grow to perfection, hay, grain,
vegetables, and fruit, for which there is always a demand at
remunerative prices. Florence has an abundance of the cheapest fuel in
the west for manufacturing purposes. Possessing these wonderful
advantages, Florence must and will become one of the largest and most
important cities of Colorado.
Cripple Creek
(1896). There is nothing in fiction more wonderful than the history of
the great gold camp, famous the world over. Four years ago it was a
cattle ranch, uninhabited but by a single family. There are perhaps
30,000 people in the district today, and one hundred shipping gold
mines with constant additions being made to the number. Where in the
history of the world can be found a parallel to this true statement of
this wonderful camp? The great gold field is contributing one million
dollars per month to the wealth of the world with the promise that the
amount will be steadily increased as the years go on. The history of
Cripple Creek shows that considering the number of men engaged in
mining, more poor men have become rich than in any mining camp in
Colorado. Many doubts were expressed during the first few months after
the discovery of gold at Cripple Creek as to the permanency of the
camp. The rich discoveries near the surface suggested the idea that
veins would not prove to be continuous, but these doubts have now been
dispelled. The district is yet a most promising and attractive field
for the miner who has his fortune to make.
PHOTOS: Courtesy Irongate Antique Mall
Cripple Creek
(1896). There is nothing in fiction more wonderful than the history of
the great gold camp, famous the world over. Four years ago it was a
cattle ranch, uninhabited but by a single family. There are perhaps
30,000 people in the district today, and one hundred shipping gold
mines with constant additions being made to the number. Where in the
history of the world can be found a parallel to this true statement of
this wonderful camp? The great gold field is contributing one million
dollars per month to the wealth of the world with the promise that the
amount will be steadily increased as the years go on. The history of
Cripple Creek shows that considering the number of men engaged in
mining, more poor men have become rich than in any mining camp in
Colorado. Many doubts were expressed during the first few months after
the discovery of gold at Cripple Creek as to the permanency of the
camp. The rich discoveries near the surface suggested the idea that
veins would not prove to be continuous, but these doubts have now been
dispelled. The district is yet a most promising and attractive field
for the miner who has his fortune to make.PHOTOS: Courtesy Irongate Antique Mall
Top: Florence circa 1910. Notice the
“horseless carriage” in the center of the photograph.
Historic postcard, courtesy Iron Gate Antique Mall.
Bottom: First train to Victor on the F&CC. Locomotive was borrowed from the D&RG.