Colorado's rich mining history

Frisco, CO

(Sightseeing)

June 18, 2017 - June 20, 2017

Back while we were in Colorado Springs we heard from two friends from Whidbey Island that they were soon going to be in Colorado visiting family.  Betsy works for Starbucks and was taking a 6 month sabbatical which Starbucks allows after you work for them for 10 years.  They had been dreaming of a road trip for several years and now they were finally doing it.  We met them at a campground near Frisco, Colorado.  These two women are avid walkers, runners, swimmers and cyclers - not slouches like the two of us.  Everyday they are up for a physical challenge while we are more likely to visit a museum or see something historical.  Needless to say, during the day they went one way and we went another.

Marian and Betsy are serious bikers.

Fancy paint job!

Off they go on their way to Vail via bike (26.6 miles by car - probably longer by bike trail).

Our campground was adjacent to the Dillon Reservoir. Only a few spots could actually see the lake but it was still a beautiful setting.

You just can't beat a view like this!

Or this!

The first full day we went to the town of Fairplay to see the "recreated" town of South Park City. Typically we peruse the AAA tour guides for places they refer to as GEMs.  We've done this on many trips and so far we feel we've never been led astray by their recommendations.  South Park was listed as a GEM and we absolutely concur.  Although it has several buildings situated in their original locations, most of the buildings have been brought in from other Colorado locations to create a small Colorado mining town circa 1860-1900.  There are over 40 unique buildings which are typical of the period. Looking through and at them really brings history to life.  We have been to many similar places and what was particularly amazing about South Park City was the extraordinary number of artifacts within each exhibit.  They have done a wonderful job of recreating the past.

Disclaimer: There are probably too many pictures below but I was hard pressed to limit them.

"Entrance" to South Park City.
If you look hard you'll see Laura standing on the boardwalk to the left.

The local saloon.

The long bar complete with naked lady picture reflected in the mirror and gambling tables.

Awesome Ice Box

Thelma (or it might be Louise) - she wants in on every poker hand played.

Pioneer Home

Part of dining room with living room to the right.

Beautiful table setting in the dining room.

A very big cradle - plenty of room if you had twins.

Wash House

All the latest conveniences to make wash day a breeze!

The Court House

For our genealogy friends - the place you aim for when visiting a court house!
Those precious records.

 The Assay Office

Samples were melted down in order to determine the grade and value of the ore.

 Hard Rock Mining Equipment

Rock crusher

The steam engine would drive the big pulley on the left side.
Other pieces of equipment were attached to the pulley by large belts to do whatever heavy work was needed.

Water pipes

Train Depot

Old trunks - aren't they cool?

Stove in the waiting room

Neat old signal light.

Narrow Gauge Train

Old Engine 22.

The whole train.

Looking down the length of the caboose.

Looking up into the cupola of the caboose.
The sign up there reads: "The lookout post atop the car", is attributed to a conductor who, in 1863 discovered that he could see his train much better if he sat on boxes and peered through a hole in the roof of the caboose.  This area would give the conductor an improved view of the train.  From here the back half of the train was watched.  The trainmen could watch for smoke from the wheel journals or other signs of trouble safely from the cupola.
My great grandfather was a train conductor so I found this information very interesting!

 Stage Coach Inn

Traveler's trunks stored under the stairs to the rooms above.

Communal eating area.

The kitchen.

Plush accomodations for wealthier customers.
(This picture makes it appear that the bed is tipped up but it must be a result of the angle of the picture.)

Stove for heat and a chair to sit in.
Don't know if visitors would typically be spinning wool on their visit?

 The Blacksmith's

The forge, bellows and tools of the trade.

More blacksmith tools.

 The Schoolhouse

The main schoolroom

Books, school bell, water cooler.

 Carpenter Shop and Morgue

Typical funeral objects of the day.

Carpenter tools.

The Barbershop

Barber chairs

Bath tub 

 The Dentist Office

Dentist chair with drill powered by foot pedal.

Dentist cabinet with tools

 Doctor's Office

Cabinet with tools, medicines, etc.

Doctor's desk with medical journals, typewriter, etc.  Notice the crutches against the wall on the right.

Cases with medicines.

The Dr's surgery.

The Newspaper Office

Printing presses.

Type setter's area.

The General Store

There were so many artifacts in this exhibit it was hard to take it all in.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Telephone switchboard in the general store.

Post Office was also located in the general store.  I love that it says "General Delivery"
since that's how we get our mail while we are traveling.

The Drug Store

This was another place just filled with typical items of the day.  It was amazing!

This is an old soda fountain.  The picture doesn't do it justice I'm afraid.  It's quite beautiful.

And that ends our tour of South Park City.  Believe it or not - I've only shown you a portion of the buildings there.  It's probably the best recreated old town we've ever seen!