Georgetown, Colorado, Clear Creek County is an enchanting ghost town with a rich history nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Known for its stunning scenery and historical significance, Georgetown offers a glimpse into Colorado’s mining past. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Clear Creek County
Zip Code: 80444
Latitude / Longitude: 39.7067° N, 105.6978° W
Elevation: 8,530 feet
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1859
Disestablished: Not available
Comments: Georgetown was founded as a mining camp during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. It quickly grew into a bustling town, earning the nickname “Silver Queen of the Rockies” due to its rich silver mines.
During its peak, Georgetown became a commercial and social hub of the region. Georgetown is noted for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and has been designated a National Historic Landmark District.
Gold, silver, and lead mining were the economic backbone of Georgetown until 1878, when they lost out to Leadville.
The town was relatively peaceful during this time, though there were still undesirables who found their way into Georgetown’s borders without invitation or consent from locals- mainly seeking refuge from violence elsewhere in Colorado Territory at that point in history (most notably gold camps).
Louis Du Puy’s Hotel De Paris could lay claim as not only being one of its most posh hotels on the west side of the Mississippi River but also boasting some shady past, too, once home to gunslingers & gamblers alike.
Remains: Many of the original buildings still stand, including the historic Hotel de Paris, now a museum. The town’s streetscape has remained largely unchanged since the silver boom of the late 1800s, with Victorian-style homes, a historic schoolhouse, and the Georgetown Loop Railroad. This popular tourist attraction offers scenic train rides.
Current Status: Georgetown is not a ghost town in the traditional sense. It is still inhabited, with a population of approximately 1,000 residents. It is a tourist destination and a gateway to outdoor recreational activities in the surrounding mountains.
Remarks: Georgetown’s combination of historical allure and vibrant community life offers a unique blend of the past and present. Its preservation efforts have successfully maintained the town’s historical character while supporting tourism and local business.
Visitors are drawn to its rich history, scenic beauty, and the opportunity to experience a slice of Colorado’s mining legacy. Du Puy, a man from France who had squandered his inheritance and came to Georgetown to recoup it.
He bought the building at Alpine Street, which would later become The Hotel DuPuy – an opulent establishment for its time as well as now with all of its ornate marble floors; this hotel was unequaled by any mining town that existed throughout what is known today westward out into Colorado on Highway 40 where one can find many shops catering specifically towards tourists’ needs such shopping or simply browsing through antique stores while filling up gas tanks if need be before continuing onwards towards Salt Lake City should they choose not to stop there first.
