Pikes Peak Gold Rush

Pikes Peak Gold Rush is the term used to describe the gold rush in Colorado between 1858-1961 when gold mining in the Pikes Peak Country exploded.

Prospector William G. Russell led an expedition to Ralston Creek in 1851 upon rumors of gold in the streams.

Once gold was found in Cherry Creek near Denver, word spread, prompting 100,000 potential prospectors to make their way to the Rocky Mountains. Only half actually made it there.

The phrase Pikes Peak or Bust! was painted on wagons by prospectors to let folks know they were on their way across the prairie to find gold in Colorado.

If they could see Pikes Peak, they knew they were close, as the mountain famously sits high on the horizon, farther east than any other mountain in Colorado’s Front Range.

The gold camps that eventually formed were actually settled in places like Boulder City, Denver City, Golden City, and Idaho Springs. Gold wasn’t found near Pikes Peak in Cripple Creek until the 1890’s.

The term was eventually changed to the Colorado Gold Rush.

Other fun facts:

• The rapid increase of population led to the Colorado Territory’s creation in 1861.

• Much like the prospectors in California’s Gold Rush were called ‘49ers due to the year they found their riches, participants in the Colorado Gold Rush were called ‘59ers, as 1859 was the height of the rush.

• Unlike the name suggests, Pikes Peak Country did not consist solely of the area surrounding Pikes Peak, but was actually made up of the western Kansas Territory and southwestern Nebraska Territory.

• Although thousands flocked to find gold, only a handful actually found riches.
  
  

  
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