Quick Facts
#1
Before the mining era, Breckenridge was part of the summer migratory hunting area
for bands of the Northern Ute Indians. Animal trails used by the Ute Indians became
early wagon roads and present day highways follow some of these same routes.
For more historic facts, see page 18. Other facts placed throughout magazine.
more than 10,000 specimens, State Historical Museum was
many of which were used to prodded to examine gold
launch the Denver Museum of specimens that had been
Nature and Science. In Feb- deposited in a Denver bank
ruary of 2008, Carter’s log in 1926. Sure enough, Tom’s
cabin, which is now the Carter Baby was found, but over
Museum, closed to undergo a five pounds of the piece of
renovation. When the museum gold remain missing. Essen-
reopens in the spring of 2009, tially, Tom’s Baby was kid-
the public can expect to see napped. In 2008, Tom’s Baby
a significant transformation, was showcased at the Den-
which will include structural ver Museum of Nature and
changes, new exhibits and Science’s “Gold,” a tempo-
interactive learning stations rary exhibit that claimed to be
for people of all ages. the largest gold display the
world has ever seen.
Making History Today, Breckenridge’s his-
In 1880, Ford’s Chophouse tory and characters are cel-
opened in the heart of town, ebrated. Visitors are encour-
at the corner of Washington aged to explore one of the
Avenue and Main Street. This country’s largest historic
is a seemingly small event in the town’s his- put on a train to Denver. It was not seen again districts through museum and walking tours,
tory, unless you consider the owner. Barney for 85 years. Rumors surrounding the piece’s shopping, dining and playing on the trails.
Ford became Breckenridge’s first African- disappearance include that it was shown at the For more in-depth information on Breckenridge’s
American businessman when the Chophouse Smithsonian, the Peabody Museum, Harvard historic sites and history, contact the Brecken-
opened and he is considered Colorado’s first University and Chicago’s Field Museum, but ridge Heritage Alliance at 800-980-1859 or visit
great leader of African-American heritage. He none can be verified. In 1972, the Colorado
breckheritage.com or
gobreck150.com.
owned several businesses in Breckenridge
and at one time owned the finest house in
town, which is now the Barney Ford House
Museum. Highlights of Ford’s life story include
Historic Site Capital Improvements for 2009
his escape from slavery, work with the Under-
Carter Museum Rehabilitation forms and memorabilia will be used to
ground Railroad in Chicago, far-flung business
In the spring of 2009, natural history lovers educate about how volunteer firefighters
endeavors and starting the first adult educa-
will be invited to take an interactive and inter- became organized, built and outfitted the
tion program in Colorado. He also invested in
pretive adventure dedicated to the legacy of 1880 Fireman’s Hall and fought fires. The
the Oro Mine and Mill site in French Gulch in
Colorado’s famous log cabin naturalist, Pro- museum will also feature the department’s
Breckenridge. He became rich from this invest-
fessor Edwin Carter. New exhibit themes at newly restored 1948 CJ-2 Willys Fire Jeep
ment and helped create Colorado history. His
the 1875 Edwin Carter Museum will trace the and hands-on activities for kids.
wife, Julia Ford, earned a listing in the Denver
evolution of Carter’s life as a miner, taxidermist
Social Register, the first time that exclusive
and scientist and explain how, in 1900, his Washington Mine Restoration
society admitted an African-American. A visit amazing collection of Rocky Mountain fauna The Washington Mine, a prominent placer
to Breckenridge wouldn’t be complete without came to serve as the nucleus collection for and hard rock mining operation in early-day
a visit to the recently restored Barney Ford today’s Denver Museum of Nature and Sci- Breckenridge, underwent extensive repairs and
House Museum on Washington Avenue where ence. Also featured in the newly renovated renovations in the summer of 2008 to ensure the
tours are available year-round.
museum will be a theater room and an inter- safety and enjoyment of visitors for the 150th
active learning center where children can try anniversary of the town in 2009. In addition to
Striking it Rich
interactive activities related to Carter’s work. shoring up infrastructure such as retaining walls,
Any mining town worth mentioning has a
cribs and decking, the tipple (the point where
tale of the “big strike.” On July 23, 1887, the
Red, White and Blue Fire Museum ore carts deposited mined materials into waiting
largest piece of gold ever found in the state of
The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance is col- wagons below) and headframe (which provided
Colorado was discovered near Breckenridge.
laborating with the Red, White and Blue Fire the sheave and pulley system to lower men and
Tom Groves walked into the town cradling the
Museum on an exhibition that celebrates materials into the mine) were rebuilt.
the pioneering role of the Breckenridge Fire Additionally, a small-scale sluice box was
blanket-wrapped bundle that gained the name
Department. The museum’s original collec- constructed so visitors can experience gold
“Tom’s Baby” and weighed in at more than 13
tion of antique firefighting apparatus, uni- panning much as miners did 150 years ago.
pounds. Three days later, the piece of gold was
877-234-3989 |
gobreck.com | BRECKENRIDGE 7
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