With the approach of Breckenridge's 150th Anniversary in 2009, it is important to reflect on the history and heritage that made this Victorian mining town what it is today. Breckenridge, which was inadvertently left off the official U.S. maps in the mid-1800s, became known as "Colorado's Kingdom" until the mistake was discovered nearly a half a century later in 1936 when it was finally incorporated. Today, the community embraces this unique aspect of its past through Kingdom Days, a celebration of Breckenridge's heritage.
Breckenridge's rich history is full of gold finds and mining, exploration and adventure, brothels and saloons, booms and busts. Founded in 1859 by a small group of men and one woman, the town's Gold Rush brought settlers in droves seeking their fortune. People came from across the country and around the world—from New England, Europe, South America and China—all to strike it rich. While some found gold, each adventurer discovered the glory of the Ten Mile Range and the bounty of its beautiful landscape.
The first settlers did more than erect a bustling town; they drew a community of colorful individuals who put their stamp on town history. Throughout Breckenridge's existence, the spirit of the community and surrounding landscape has inspired residents to participate in the town in their own unique way. And, as with Breckenridge townsfolk of today, the early settlers lived lives full of stories worth telling.
Father John Lewis Dyer, an itinerant Methodist minister who embraced the mountain life, made his way to Breckenridge in the 1860s. Father Dyer regularly skied across the Continental Divide on 12-foot long wooden skis to deliver the Gospel, sacks of gold and mail to the mining population. He founded a Methodist Church in 1880 and is well remembered today as the church remains active.
While Father Dyer was skiing across the mountains, Naturalist Edwin Carter was busy collecting specimens of local wildlife. Carter first came to Colorado to participate in the 1859 Gold Rush, but when he saw the destruction that mining and a growing population wreaked on local wildlife, he changed goals and embarked on a career as a naturalist. During his lifetime, Carter assembled over 15,000 specimens, many of which were used to launch the Denver Museum of Natural History. Today, many pieces can be seen at the Carter Museum on Ridge Street in Breckenridge.
In 1879, Ford's Chophouse opened in the heart of town, at the corner of Washington Avenue and Main Street. This is a seemly small event in the town's history, unless you consider the owner. Barney Ford became Breckenridge's first black businessman when the Chophouse opened, and he is considered Colorado's first great leader of African American heritage. He owned several businesses in Breckenridge, and at one time owned the finest house in town, which is now the Barney Ford House Museum. Highlights of Ford's life story include his escape from slavery, work with the Underground Railroad in Chicago, far-flung business endeavors and starting the first adult education program in the state. He also invested in the Oro Mine and Mill site in French Gulch in Breckenridge. He became rich from this investment and helped create Colorado history. His wife, Julia Ford, earned a listing in the Denver Social Register, the first time that exclusive society admitted an African American.
Any mining town worth mentioning has a tale of the "big strike." On July 23, 1887, the largest gold nugget ever found in the state of Colorado was discovered in Breckenridge. Tom Groves walked into the town cradling the blanket-wrapped bundle that gained the name "Tom's Baby" and weighed in at 13.5 pounds. Three days later, the nugget was put on a train to Denver. It was not seen again for 85 years. Rumors surrounding the nugget's disappearance include that it was shown at the Smithsonian, the Peabody Museum, Harvard University and Chicago's Field Museum, but none can be verified. In 1972, the Colorado State Historical Museum was prodded to examine gold specimens that had been deposited in a Denver bank in 1926. Sure enough, Tom's Baby was found, but over five pounds of the nugget remain missing. Essentially, Tom's Baby was kidnapped!
For more stories of Breckenridge's past, visit the Breckenridge Welcome Center, 203 S. Main Street. From there, guided or self-guided walking tours are available as well as more information on the historical museums in Breckenridge. For more in-depth information, contact the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance at 800.980.1859, breckheritage.com or contact the Summit Historical Society 970.453.9022