Georgetown Colorado
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.
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Colorado Rafting: Family and Advanced Whitewater
Just minutes from Georgetown, trips of all levels on Clear Creek and 4 other Colorado rivers. Free wetsuits. Check out the daily discounts and fun raft videos on our website.
(877) 723-8464
Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting
Exciting and scenic rafting trips on the best rivers of Colorado for all ages and abilities. Multiple locations for your convenience. Ask about trip discounts and specials.
(800) 370-0581
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.
Other pages you might find helpful:
Clear Creek County Library District
The Clear Creek County Library District official website.
Clear Creek County, Colorado
Official site for Clear Creek County in Colorado.
Clear Creek School District
Clear Creek School District provides education for the communities of Georgetown and Idaho Springs.
History of Georgetown, Colorado
Historic Georgetown offers an account of the history of Georgetown.
Hotel de Paris Museum
The Hotel de Paris is now an interesting historical museum, located in Georgetown.
Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Audi Club
The Audi Club Rocky Mountain Chapter offers ice/winter driving courses within Georgetown, Colorado.
The Georgetown Energy Museum
The Georgetown Energy Museum is housed at Georgetown's fully functioning Hydroelectric Plant.
Town of Georgetown, Colorado
Official site for the Town of Georgetown, Colorado.
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