“Mine Shots” Presents the Cripple Creek District Museum

“Mine Shots” Presents the Cripple Creek District Museum

By Dave Martinek

The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company (CC&V) is happy to announce another “Mine Shots,” scheduled for Saturday, March 21, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at CC&V’s Visitor Center at 371 E. Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek.  The featured speaker will be Mrs. Kathy Reynolds, Executive Director of the Cripple Creek District Museum (CCDM).

     The Cripple Creek District Museum was founded in 1953 by Richard W. Johnson and Blevins Davis. Seeing a need for a foundation to preserve the history of the gold district, Mr. Davis purchased the Midland Terminal Railroad Depot that had been in use from 1895 to 1949.  The historic, three-story building with its original interior and expansive grounds made for a wonderful institution.  Mr. Johnson solicited funding and artifacts from such prominent figures as Julie Penrose, Ethel Carlton and others whose families made their fortunes during the district’s boom days.  Within a few short months, in June 1953, the museum was opened and attended by several prominent people from around the state, including Governor Dan Thornton.  Within five years, the museum Board of Directors was able to purchase A. E. Carlton’s former Colorado Trading &Transfer Company building, the only commercial building to survive the fires of April 1896 that destroyed much of Cripple Creek.  Today, the museum complex is a campus of five historical buildings and numerous displays and archives.

     Reynolds’ presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the history of the CCDM, including historical photos and some brief comments from members of two of Cripple Creek’s pioneer families.  This will be followed by descriptions of what to see on the CCDM campus – two historic cabins, the Gold Sovereign head frame, the assay office of the Colorado Trading & Transfer Company and the Midland Terminal depot.  Inside the museum are geologic displays, Midland Terminal Railroad artifacts, an extensive manuscript and photographic archive, as well as a gift shop and book store.  Reynolds will also provide an overview of future plans for the museum.

     After the presentation, join us for a FREE tour of the Museum and its treasures.

     The Mine Shots presentation is free to the public, but seating is limited.  Interested persons wishing to attend the presentation should register with CC&V in advance by calling 719-689-2341 or 689-4052, or by calling the Cripple Creek District Museum at 719-689-9540 or 689-2634.