Breckenridge Colorado History

Breckenridge, Colorado is now known for the white gold of the mountain region – snow, but in the beginning Breckenridge was actually settled as a part of America's mid-nineteenth century Pike's Peak Gold Rush. But even before that time, the area of Breckenridge was a part of the hunting grounds occupied in the summer by the nomad White Rive and Middle Park Ute Indians.

The town was founded by General George E. Spencer in November 1859. In an effort to obtain a post office for the newly established town, the General decided to name the town after the then vice president of the United States John Breckinridge. The idea worked and the post office that was established became the first post office between the Continental Divide and Salt Lake City, Utah.

The name Breckinridge became an issue when the Civil War broke out and Vice President Breckinridge side with the south. The vice President was expelled for treason. Due to embarrassment, the little town of Breckinridge very quietly changed the spelling of their town's name from Breckinridge to Breckenridge – changing the i to an e.

By the mid-1860's, Breckenridge had become the country seat for Summit County. The smaller scale of gold mining became less popular due to the constraints created by the Civil War. As a result many of the businessmen and merchants moved to other towns. Hydraulic placer mining took the place of the lone miner. Following the discovery of rich silver and lead carbonates in the hillsides around Breckenridge, the town once more was on the map.

With the onset of World War II, mining in the area of Breckenridge came to a halt. Then in December 1961, a Wichita, Kansas lumber company opened the Breckenridge Ski area and the new boom era began. White gold replaced the yellow gold. Today Breckenridge is the vacation destination for anyone who wants to enjoy winter fun and/or summer activities in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.