History Of Breckenridge, Colorado

Boom or bust, Breckenridge, Colorado, has survived and grown since 1859. White settlers came from the east during Pike's Peak Gold Rush. General George E. Spencer officially incorporated - what was once hunting grounds for the White River and Middle River Ute Native Americans - "Breckinridge", named after James Buchanan's Vice President, John Cabell Breckinridge. The citizens changed the "i" to an "e" after Spencer was banished for siding with the North during the Civil War, on grounds of treason.

A mining town, Breckenridge had waves of miners who dried up the gold, hard-rock, and silver resources in the course of one half of a century. There were times where its population dipped below 300 people. At one point, Breckenridge wasn't even on the map - literally. In 1930, it was decided to be excluded the small town on US maps. Not until 1936 did the Breckenridge Women's Club bring attention to this glaring, blank land that's 90 miles-long, 30 miles-wide. On August 8th, 1936, the Governor and his entourage rose the flag on the court lawn. And every year, a festival, once known as "No Man's Land" celebrates the free and sovereign declaration of Breckenridge, Colorado.

While over the decades, Breckenridge has had churches, saloons, a post office, houses, stores, and dozens of town buildings, many made of wood were burned because of accidental fires, and for forest fire exercises, tax purposes, and even warmth. It was not until 1961 when the white gold boom began. Rounds and Porters, a Wichita, Kansas, lumbering company opened the Breckenridge Ski Area. Denver became a one and half hour drive, when, in 1973, the Eisenhower Tunnel was opened on Interstate 70. The town of Breckenridge has grown ever since, trafficking thousands of visitors. Now there are hundreds of enterprises on Breckenridge's horizon, with its services, retail, government, winter as well as year-round resorts, restaurants and attractions. There is no bust in Breckenridge's future, only boom, growth, and development for the premier skiing and recreation resort town.