Gold was discovered near Central City in 1859. This history is a distinctive introduction to Gilpin County, a rural highland region of Colorado near the Continental Divide. Historic buildings and landscapes that can be explored in different ways add to its appeal. Consider whether you want to focus your trip on gold rush history, architectural heritage, or nature.
Gold Rush and Architectural History
Gilpin County was one of the 17 original counties formed in 1861 when the Territory of Colorado was established. The gold discovery near Central City and the formation of the county are therefore two distinct historical reference points: the discovery dates to 1859, and the territorial reorganization to 1861.
The Teller House opened in 1872; the painting “Face on the Barroom Floor” can be seen there. The Central City Opera House was built in 1878. It is part of the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit and is a National Historic Landmark. This building offers a glimpse of both local theater history and its place in a broader heritage context.
At the Thomas House, its construction date and later historical significance come together: this half-timbered house in the Greek Revival style dates to 1867 and represents a typical middle-class home in Central City around the turn of the 20th century. St. James Methodist Church is the oldest continuously operating Protestant church in Colorado. The Weekly Register-Call Print Shop is also part of local history: it is associated with Colorado’s oldest continuously printed newspaper.
The Gilpin History Museum devotes a room to the county’s mining history and also explores its social, political, and economic history. Re-created rooms and establishments include a doctor’s office, a bank, a church, and a saloon. These examples complement the focus on mining with glimpses of everyday life. Tours offered by the Gilpin Historical Society begin at Washington Hall; check the current arrangements before your visit.
The Hidee Gold Mine offers an underground tour where visitors can hand-mine gold ore using tools provided. Check the current arrangements before your trip.
Highland Landscapes and Trails
Golden Gate Canyon State Park has more than 35 miles of trails. Its landscapes include high-elevation mountain meadows, streamside corridors, rocky peaks, and dense forest. From the Panorama Point overlook, there are views of more than 100 miles of Colorado’s Continental Divide. These details offer nature enthusiasts several points of interest: the variety of landscapes, the trail network, and a named overlook.
The James Peak Wilderness offers a different scale: it encompasses 15 lakes and four trails totaling 20 miles.
Fishing is also available at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. It is permitted in streams and ponds, except for the Visitor Center Show Pond. Check the current regulations before fishing. Kriley Pond has an ADA-accessible fishing pier; check the current condition of the facility before your visit.
A Road Route as Another Perspective
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is 55 miles long. Established in 1918, it is Colorado’s oldest scenic byway. Its length describes the route; its founding year and ranking place its history in context. Gravel roads lead from the byway to high-elevation lakes, trailheads, and campgrounds. The road route offers another perspective on the region’s scenic destinations, while museums and historic buildings put its cultural history in the spotlight.
Discover more destinations: Black Hawk, Central City, Chaffee, San Juan County, Montezuma County, La Plata, Boulder, Dolores County.
For the main travel overview: Colorado.
