This Cripple Creek sign was at the Junction of U. S. 24 and Colorado 67 at Divide, Colorado. Both Divide and Cripple Creek are in Teller County, Colorado.
Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located 44 miles (71 km) southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. With many empty storefronts and picturesque homes, Cripple Creek once attracted tourists as a ghost town. Cripple Creek established legalized gambling in 1991 and is now more of a gambling and tourist town than a ghost town.
Divide received its name because water run-offs divide to the north, south, east and west of its location.
This sign was originally based on a 1950 photo of Rufus L. Porter in a miner's costume with a donkey named Easu. There is a copy of the photo here. Rufus L Porter (1897 - 1979) was a miner, poet, and writer. He was known as the "Hard Rock Poet" and wrote three books about the Cripple Creek area. One of his poems, "A Miner's Thanksgiving," is reproduced here.
Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located 44 miles (71 km) southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. With many empty storefronts and picturesque homes, Cripple Creek once attracted tourists as a ghost town. Cripple Creek established legalized gambling in 1991 and is now more of a gambling and tourist town than a ghost town.
Divide received its name because water run-offs divide to the north, south, east and west of its location.
This sign was originally based on a 1950 photo of Rufus L. Porter in a miner's costume with a donkey named Easu. There is a copy of the photo here. Rufus L Porter (1897 - 1979) was a miner, poet, and writer. He was known as the "Hard Rock Poet" and wrote three books about the Cripple Creek area. One of his poems, "A Miner's Thanksgiving," is reproduced here.
How interesting, especially to connect the dots on this one. I did a post some time back on Jack Johnson, but had never heard of him prior to that.
ReplyDeleteOh, and first and foremost it's a great sign!
Neat sign and fascinating video. Amazing that such a large town dwindled to nothing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat sign! I'm trying to think of that song that mentions Cripple Creek, but for the life of me, it doesn't come to mind!
ReplyDeletei guess being a gambling town attracts more buisness than simply staying as a ghost town.
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I like the sign AND the photo it was based on. The video shows a fascinating slice of history.
ReplyDeleteGreat video - love the donkey just standing there in the saloon with all the guys! Love the post card.
ReplyDeleteSeems appropriate that both gold and gambling hold the promise of getting rich quick. Neat card.
ReplyDeleteIs this where the song "Up on Cripple Creek" is about?
ReplyDeletehard to imagine what it must have been like during its hey day!
I like the sign and the video. I wonder where all these people go after the town dwindled down. ^_^
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That's a great sign and photo! Images of the exciting and yet difficult life during gold rush era came into my mind... I wanted to watch the video but my internet connection is a bit choppy at this time.
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