Pike’s Peak Colorado Gold Rush
The Pike’s Peak Colorado gold rush happened in 1858 in western Kansas territory and southwestern Nebraska territory, and lasted until 1861 with the creation of the Colorado territory. More than 100,000 gold seekers came to this area in a rush for riches, and this quickly became one of the most well-known and prosperous gold rushes in American history. After 1859, which was the peak year of the rush, these miners were known as fifty-niners, and often came bearing the motto ‘Pike’s Peak or Bust!’
The Pike’s Peak Colorado gold rush happened about a decade after the California gold rush, and brought a temporary and huge influx of immigrants into Pike’s Peak area and the Southern Rocky Mountains. The gold rush brought the first European-Americans to the region, and created a few places that would become cities such as Denver City and Boulder City. Smaller camps ended up becoming parts of larger towns, and dozens of camps simply became ghost towns. Many gold prospectors were discouraged at the end of the California gold rush, which caused them to return home. However, a few stayed behind and followed rumors that gold was to be found in the Rocky Mountains.
This following ended up paying off in the end, for those who actually took the time to travel to this area and become a part of the search for gold in what would become the Pike’s Peak gold rush. In 1858, gold was discovered, and it was less than a year by the time news reached the eastern part of the country. At that time, thousands of miners were coming to the Denver area to search for the gold that so many had boasted finding. There were many large finds throughout the area in 1859, and shortly after the mining tapered off for a substantial amount of time.
After many years, people realized that they couldn’t access the gold that was deeper in the sulfide ore, and abandoned gold prospecting in the area. However, this problem was solved over time, creating a major gold and silver mining industry in Colorado after the gold rush had come and gone. The first decade generally served the South Platte River area and the Clear Creek and South Park areas, and in 1860, Denver City, Golden City, and Boulder City were thriving towns that worked the mines as a way of life.
Still today, the area is popular among vacationers for gold prospecting adventures, but the large mines are now owned by private industry, making the findings more rare and individual prospecting less popular. Panning for gold may be fun, but it’s hardly profitable. If you want to invest in gold, try purchasing some gold coins and holding them for an extended period of time.
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