Georgetown, Colorado Weather Cams
Georgetown Lodge (I-70 East) (via Coloradowebcam.net)
Georgetown, Colorado: The Silver Queen of the Rockies and the Legacy of Clear Creek Canyon
Georgetown, Colorado Weather Cams. Tucked into a narrow valley along Clear Creek and framed by the towering peaks of the Front Range, Georgetown, Colorado, is a town whose history gleams with the luster of silver and the grit of frontier ambition. Founded during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and later transformed by a silver boom, Georgetown became one of Colorado’s most important mining centers in the 19th century. Today, it stands as a living museum of Victorian architecture and mountain heritage, a testament to the resilience of a community shaped by geology, geography, and gold fever.
Gold Sparks the Settlement
The story of Georgetown begins in June 1859, when brothers George and David Griffith discovered gold near the headwaters of Clear Creek. Their find came just months after William Green Russell’s discovery near present-day Denver ignited the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. The Griffiths’ discovery attracted a wave of prospectors, and by 1860, the Griffith Mining District had been established. The townsite that emerged was named Georgetown in honor of George Griffith.
Early mining efforts focused on placer gold, but the rugged terrain and deep bedrock made extraction difficult. Still, the promise of riches kept miners in the area, and Georgetown slowly grew into a permanent settlement. By 1861, over 2,000 mining claims had been filed in the district, and the first stamp mill was constructed to process ore.
Silver Transforms the Town
While gold brought the first settlers, it was silver that made Georgetown famous. In 1864, rich silver veins were discovered on nearby Mount McClellan. This triggered Colorado’s first true silver rush, and Georgetown quickly became the commercial and social hub of the booming Clear Creek mining district. The town’s population surged, and by the 1870s, Georgetown was known as the “Silver Queen of Colorado.”
Elegant Victorian homes, churches, and civic buildings sprang up along the steep streets. Wealthy mine owners and merchants built elaborate residences, while working-class miners settled in nearby Silver Plume and Elizabethtown. In 1867, Georgetown wrested the Clear Creek County seat from Idaho Springs, cementing its status as the region’s political and economic center.
The Georgetown Loop and Engineering Marvels
As mining expanded into the high country, transportation became a critical challenge. The steep grade between Georgetown and Silver Plume—just two miles apart but separated by 600 vertical feet—posed a formidable obstacle. In response, engineers designed the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a narrow-gauge line completed in 1884 that used a series of switchbacks, trestles, and a full loop to navigate the terrain.
The Loop became both a logistical triumph and a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from Denver and beyond. It connected Georgetown to the broader Colorado Central Railroad network, facilitating the shipment of ore and supplies. Though the line was abandoned in the 1930s, it was later reconstructed in the 1970s and remains a popular heritage railway today.
The Panic of 1893 and Economic Decline
Georgetown’s prosperity was deeply tied to the silver market, and when the U.S. repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893, prices collapsed. Mines closed, businesses shuttered, and the town’s population plummeted. By the early 20th century, Georgetown had entered a long period of decline, sustained only by small-scale mining, ranching, and tourism.
Yet even in decline, Georgetown retained its charm. Many of its ornate buildings survived intact, protected by the town’s isolation and the pride of its residents. In the mid-20th century, preservationists began to recognize the town’s historical value, and efforts to restore its architectural heritage gained momentum.
The Georgetown–Silver Plume Historic District
In 1966, the Georgetown–Silver Plume Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark. This district encompasses the two towns and the reconstructed Georgetown Loop Railroad, preserving one of the best examples of a 19th-century Rocky Mountain mining community. The district includes dozens of original buildings, from the Alpine Hose Firehouse and Grace Episcopal Church to the Hotel de Paris, a French-style inn opened in 1875 by the eccentric Louis Dupuy.
The Hotel de Paris Museum, operated by History Colorado, offers a glimpse into the opulence and cosmopolitan flair of Georgetown’s boom years. Other landmarks include the Bowman-White House, the Hamill House Museum, and the historic schoolhouse, all of which contribute to the town’s immersive historical atmosphere.
Clear Creek County and the Mountain Corridor
Georgetown is the county seat of Clear Creek County, one of Colorado’s original 17 counties, established in 1861. The county spans 396 square miles of rugged mountain terrain, including the headwaters of Clear Creek and portions of the Continental Divide. It includes other historic towns like Idaho Springs, Empire, and Silver Plume, each with its own mining legacy.
The county’s geography—steep canyons, alpine meadows, and high passes—shaped its development. The construction of Interstate 70 in the mid-20th century brought new accessibility, linking Georgetown to Denver and the ski resorts of Summit County. Yet the town has managed to retain its historic character, resisting the sprawl that has transformed other mountain communities.
Guanella Pass and Natural Beauty
South of Georgetown, Guanella Pass climbs to over 11,600 feet, offering panoramic views of Mount Bierstadt and the surrounding wilderness. Originally a wagon route, the pass is now a scenic byway that connects Georgetown to the South Platte River Valley. It provides access to hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, and serves as a reminder of the rugged beauty that first drew settlers to the area.
The pass is also a gateway to the Mount Evans Wilderness and the Arapaho National Forest, making Georgetown a base for outdoor recreation as well as historical exploration.
Georgetown Today: A Living Legacy
With a population of just over 1,100, Georgetown is a small town with a big story. Its preserved architecture, walkable downtown, and rich cultural heritage make it a destination for history buffs, photographers, and travelers seeking a glimpse into Colorado’s mining past. Annual events like the Christmas Market and Railroad Days celebrate the town’s traditions, while local businesses and museums keep its legacy alive.
Georgetown is more than a relic—it’s a living community that honors its past while embracing the future. Whether riding the Loop, strolling Main Street, or hiking the alpine trails above town, visitors find themselves immersed in a place where the echoes of pickaxes and steam whistles still linger in the mountain air.
For more information, visit the Georgetown, Colorado official website.