The abandoned pioneer towns that once covered the state of Colorado in the late 19th century live on in the Colorado Spring Ghost Town Museum. Original buildings and thousands of everyday items have been taken from the ghost towns and displayed in an old railroad warehouse. Walk along wooden sidewalks that line antique storefronts from pioneer days, and engage in a variety of period activities like panning for gold and churning butter.
In 1858, the territory of Colorado opened up to gold miners, causing thousands of prospectors to rush into the area and quickly set up settlements. In some cases, little to no gold could be found, so whole towns were abandoned. These “ghost towns” dotted the Colorado landscape by the end of the 1800s, and their artifacts have been compiled and preserved in the Ghost Town Museum. Watch the museum’s short film on the gold rush era in Colorado to learn more about the period.
Explore the makeshift town arranged from original boomtown buildings. A jail, an apothecary and a motel are just a few of the structures you will find. Look inside the buildings to see an arrangement of period items and some animated figurines representing various pioneers. The apothecary, for instance, features a large antique display case filled with all sorts of trinkets and products.
Kids will love the range of hands-on activities you can do around the Ghost Town Museum. Get some target practice with an old rifle at the shooting gallery, or churn some butter. During the warmer months, pan for gold outside the museum.
Located on site at the Ghost Town Museum is the Colorado Mountain Brewery. Sit out on the patio and enjoy a sasparilla. Also, visit the museum store, which sells books, jewelry and snacks related to Colorado’s boomtowns.
The Ghost Town Museum is located just two miles from the Colorado Springs city center. A bus stop lies just outside the museum, and there is free car parking at the museum. There is a fee for admission to the museum, and students and groups get lower rates. Take a guided tour for an extra fee. The museum is open daily outside of national holidays.
