Georgetown Colorado, CO

Georgetown, Colorado is just an hour west of Denver. This small town, once known as "Silver Queen of the Rockies", exemplifies Colorado's rich history in mining and railroading. From a tiny mining cap in 1859 to a bustling center of commerce in the 1870's, Georgetown is now recognized as a Historic Landmark District.

George and David Griffith founded the town, originally named George's Town, in 1859 around the discovery of gold in South Clear Creek. They and others soon realized that there was not enough gold to make a difference. It was the discovery of silver in 1864 that transformed the town into a center of commerce and earned the nickname "Silver Queen of the Rockies".

Georgetown grew to about 3,500 people and its small size helped it survive the 1893 repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, which took the country off the silver standard for currency and put it on the gold standard. The price of silver plunged to 62 cents an ounce, forcing the mines to close. Silver mining came to an end as it did in many of the mining towns throughout Colorado.

By the turn of the century, the population was about 1,500 and it dropped to 200 during the depression years. After World War II, Georgetown again started to grow by taking advantage of its proximity to Denver and the potential for recreational activities around the area. Today, Georgetown maintains a stable population of about 1,000 year-round residents.

Georgetown, with 211 historic structures built before 1900, uses several of these restored buildings as museums to showcase life during the boom years of the town. It seems the town is so full of museums that it is almost a museum itself. Tourists will enjoy the rich historical museums including the Hamill House, the Hotel de Paris, and the Energy Museum. The main street, 6th Street, offers unique shops and restaurants in the Victorian style 19th century architecture.