Cripple Creek, Colorado
| City of Cripple Creek | |
|---|---|
| Statutory City | |
Entering Cripple Creek
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| Motto: "Real Fun Real Colorado " | |
 Location in Teller County and the State of Colorado |
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| Coordinates: 38°44′46″N 105°11′03″W / 38.746149°N 105.184042°WCoordinates: 38°44′46″N 105°11′03″W / 38.746149°N 105.184042°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Teller County Seat |
| Incorporated | June 9, 1892 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory City |
| • Mayor | Bruce Brown |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.1 sq mi (2.9 km2) |
| • Land | 1.1 sq mi (2.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 9,494 ft (2,894 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,189 |
| • Density | 1,100/sq mi (410/km2) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP Code | 80813 |
| Area code(s) | 719 |
| INCITS place code | 0818530 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0204769 |
| Website | City of Cripple Creek |
The City of Cripple Creek is the Statutory City that is the county seat of Teller County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 1,189 at the 2010 United States Census. Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located 44 miles (71 km) southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. The Cripple Creek Historic District, which received National Historic Landmark status in 1961, includes part or all of city and includes surrounding area. The city is now a part of the Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
For many years Cripple Creek's high valley, at an elevation of 9,494 feet (2,894 m), was considered no more important than a cattle pasture. Many prospectors avoided the area after the Mount Pisgah hoax, a mini gold rush caused by salting (adding gold to worthless rock).
On the 20th of October, 1890, Robert Miller "Bob" Womack discovered a rich ore and the last great Colorado gold rush began. Thousands of prospectors flocked to the region, and before long Winfield Scott Stratton located the famous Independence lode, one of the largest gold strikes in history. In three years, the population increased from five hundred to ten thousand by 1893. Although $500 million worth of gold ore was dug from Cripple Creek, Womack died penniless on 10 August 1909.
In 1896 Cripple Creek suffered two disastrous fires. The first occurred on April 25 destroying half of the city including much of the business district. Four days later another fire destroyed much of the remaining half. The city was rebuilt in a period of a few months, most historic buildings today date back to 1896.
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