Old Colorado City, for the History Buff
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In the beginning Old Colorado City was just Colorado City. Once a thriving town founded during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859, and involving the mining industry, both as a supply hub and gold ore processing center beginning in the 1890’s.
Miners and settlers flocked to the area, the town quickly became a bustling frontier hub, serving as a center for commerce and local government.
However, it wasn’t all orderly progress, vice and scandal were a part of daily life.
Alongside mining and trade, Old Colorado City developed a notorious reputation for its wild social scene.
Rowdy saloons, bordellos, and even opium dens, thrived, catering to the rough and tumble crowd of the Old West.
Rumors of secret tunnels and underground passages added an extra layer of intrigue.
Although the rise of nearby Colorado Springs eventually shifted reginal prominence, the scandalous legends of Old Colorado City remain a colorful reminder of its unruly, lawless beginnings.
Today however, Old Colorado City is more touristy and family oriented. Below is some history and buildings that are still standing today.
Old Colorado City Historical Society & History Center
Carnegie Public Library
Pioneer County Office log cabin
City Hall
Old Colorado City Historical Society & History Center
Open Tuesday through Saturday and free to the public, this history center is set in an old Baptist church that was built in 1889.
Full of rich history and kind docents ready to share history of Old Colorado City. They are ready to answer any question or show you around the building.
Make sure to ask for the scavenger hunt paper so you can have the kids get more involved or you can learn more about history yourself!
If you’re real nice, they might even let you ring the old church bell.
Carnegie Public Library
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Colorado City opened and dedicated a library they called Woods Free Library on January 7th, 1896. So named after Mrs. Lydia Woods of Manitou Springs, who had donated $1,000 to purchase books.
On December 7th, 1904, the Carnegie Library opened to the public, thanks in large part to steel tycoon and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who donated $10,000 for construction of the building.
Today the library is bustling with all sorts of visitors coming to look for their next great adventure, or bringing children in for story time or play time.
The building has rich history with beautiful wood floors that creak with age when you walk on them.
Pioneer County Office log cabin
Colorado city was the first permanent town of the Pikes Peak region, and briefly the Capital of the Colorado Territory. The first territorial legislature met there in 1861, however in 1862 when the second legislature met there, they found the one room small log cabin to be inadequate and too small for the growing territory.
The log cabin still stands today in Bancroft Park.
Photo courtesy of Loopnet.com
City Hall of Old Colorado City
Built in 1888 and currently a cafe, this building has housed many different types of businesses. A firehouse and Jail, the Ward school, the City Hall, a Coca Cola bottling plant, and various cafes. Maybe the tower once housed a bell for the fire department or school house?
The cafe today is welcoming and a great place to sit and read a book or catch up with friends.
While Old Colorado City has transformed from a rough-and-tumble frontier town into a charming, family-friendly destination, echoes of its wild past still linger in its historic streets.
The saloons and bordellos may be gone, but the character of this once-lawless hub remains, woven into the preserved buildings and local legends.
Whether you're exploring its unique shops, dining in a historic setting, or simply walking the same streets where miners, outlaws, and entrepreneurs once stood, Old Colorado City offers a fascinating glimpse into Colorado’s untamed beginnings.
Its past may be filled with scandal and adventure, but today, it welcomes visitors to experience history in a whole new way.
