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"Live Ice Carvings" in Cripple Creek

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Contributed by: jane rodgers on 2/10/2008

A few friends and I decided to take a little ride from the Springs to see the Ice Carvings Saturday in Cripple Creek. We always have fun when we visit this wonderful, exciting City. After we checked out all the beautiful Ice Sculptures and finished taking pictures of each one, we decided to do a little exploring of this wonderful City of lights or Sin City as some call it. We then decided to put a little donation into some of the machines of our choice. Since there was no return on our big donations we then decided to go do some exploring and sight seeing.

There is so much more to do in Cripple Creek then gamble, especially if you enjoy Colorado's history. If you like history, then you should go on some of these historical tours. I can only mention the tours that I have been on and the exciting things that I have done since I have been coming to Cripple Creek.

A lot of you have never even heard of the "Hospitality House." It used to be the Teller County Hospital. This building was constructed by the county in 1901, during the height of the Gold Rush to house the medical practitioners. Very interesting house to go through.

Then there's the new "Pikes Peak Heritage Center" which is right across from the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine [which is closed now because they are mining gold. Gold as you know is over $900 an oz.] The new Heritage Center has all the information that you need to have a great time in Cripple Creek.

From there we went to the "Outlaws & Lawmens Jail Museum." Kids and adults will love this unique jail. There last " customer" was in 1992 when the ACLU made them close because of inhumane conditions. If we had more jails like this one we would have less criminals walking the street. [of course this is just my opinion] I know you will love the history within these walls. The tour guides are wonderful. The top floor was for the ladies, includes a bathtub and toilet, the men only had a toilet.

Another great event that you won't want to miss is the Donkey Derby . This is one of those "must go to " events to put on your calender. This event will be the third weekend in June.

A few unique things to do and visit: the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum [in Victor ] and the Butte Theater.

We don't want to forget the "Homestead House Museum," on 353 Meyers Ave.
This is a must see on your list. It's a 1890s Parlor House [another name for this house is a house of Prostitution ] Most of the Millionaires that struck it rich in Cripple Creek, visited these high class ladies at one time or another.]

One more place that you will want to go to is the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery Walk that they do every year. You will have to call the Heritage Center for the dates and times of there walk.

And speaking of walks, Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs has a Walk that they do every September. Some of the historical figures buried at Evergreen are your own Cripple Creek millionaires that made it rich in the gold mines here. And "yes" most are buried in this Cemetery. Just to name a few, you all know the name Stratton and how about Bob Womack, the father of Cripple Creek . Womack's sister and his neice are buried at Evergreen also in the Womack plot. [and yes, I know that Bob Womack was a drunk and sold his mine for $500 and a bottle of whiskey .] But we at Evergreen portray him as the man who discovered Gold in Poverty Gulch which resulted in the making of at leaste 30 millionaires in the area. We also have General Palmer who is the founder of Colorado Springs and his wife Queen buried at Evergreen. Come and see our reenactors portray these terrific men and women. We learned quite a bit of Mt. Pisgah's history at your walk last summer and would now like to invite you to come on our walk and learn some of Evergreen's history. Our reenactors would love to meet your reenactors.

The cemetery is located at 1005 S. Hancock Blvd. in the Springs and the walk is in September. To learn more about Evergreen's events please e-mail them at www.evergreencemeterysociety.com.

Like I said there is plenty to see in Cripple Creek and also in Victor. A group of us toured the Cresson Mine in Victor last summer and really enjoyed the history of this Mine. I am looking forward to going on this tour again this summer.

Don't forget to check out the Ice Carvings this week end. The dates are Feb.15 thru the 18th [ Presidents day.] "I hear ELVIS is going to steal the show next weekend. "So let's go have some fun! "

Please leave a comment for me below if you have a favorite place that I have not visited in the Cripple Creek area that you would like me to photograph and do a story on for the Hub.

* The last story I did on Cripple Creek , the "Your Hub" put your "Antique Fire Truck" and firemen on the cover, plus photos of Mt.Pisgah's walk inside.

Enjoy the pictures and story, jane rodgers

*** please feel free to comment on historical facts that I may have goofed on
[I am a photographer not a writer or historian] thanks

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Submitted By: lance petty

posted on 3/13/2008 @ 1:33:56 PM

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Carrie thanks for the dates. I will be their for the Donkey Derby Days for sure. I am so glad that you enjoyed the story.

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Submitted By: carrie n miller

posted on 2/21/2008 @ 6:38:35 PM

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Jane, Thank you for an excellent article! Cripple Creek is Colorado's Best Kept Secret! June 20, 21 & 22 Chile Cookoff, June 27, 28 & 29 Donkey Derby Days which will flow right into our Old Fashioned 4th of July! Come one, come all!

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Submitted By: Mame Shroyer

posted on 2/14/2008 @ 2:33:55 PM

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I was unaware of this event! Thanks for letting us know! Sounds like fun. I am curious about the mountain lion picture. What is the story behind that?!

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Submitted By: Gary Ledford

posted on 2/14/2008 @ 9:29:57 AM

Rated Story

Thank you Jane - Cripple Creek is by far the most undiscovered historic area around

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Submitted By: Dianne Hartshorn

posted on 2/11/2008 @ 5:25:56 PM

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Great Story Jane-Cripple Creek is a really cool place to visit and yes there is so much history up there to enjoy.

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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments