Idaho Springs, CO: Our top 7 ways to ‘Discover Gold’!

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Idaho Springs – A Brief History

Historical Fun Fact: Idaho Springs was the first substantial gold discovery in Colorado! The location was originally known as “Jackson’s Diggings” after the prospector named George A. Jackson.

Gold is Discovered!

While on a hunting trip in January 1859, Jackson tracked the source of a column of smoke which turned out to be steam from a hot spring. He followed the Clear Creek a bit further, panning for gold along the way. He finally found a spot where he found specs of placer gold so he returned that spring with supplies and 22 men. By summer, the future Idaho Springs was a full-fledged mining settlement.

The town of Idaho Springs is Born

In 1873 a town site of 105+ acres was registered with the land office. An extensive water system was created, as well as at least 2 electric companies to provide water and heat. Churches and fraternal organizations were established. The Social Ethics Club was founded in 1898 and is the oldest organization in town. The golden era of mining in Clear Creek is considered between 1870 and 1900, when many beautiful home and business buildings were built. Idaho Springs was incorporated in 1885.

The arrival of Interstate 70

The arrival of the Interstate System was the next turning point for idaho Springs as it caused many travelers to pass alongside the town. However, it also lead to an increase in population as it made commuting to jobs in the Denver area feasible.

Present Day Idaho Springs

Today, mining is virtually nonexistent, and the economy thrives on attracting tourists by capitalizing on its rich mining history.  The Idaho Springs City Hall is housed in the former Grass Valley School, which was moved in 1984 from its original location and remodeled into police quarters and city offices.

The downtown district has been declared a National Historic District.  The many lovely homes of the early mining days remain as private residences.

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#1. Walk around and enjoy the beautifully restored and vibrant downtown!

Idaho Springs historic downtown was built with early gold mining dollars in the early 1900s, and retains that golden vibe! It has been named as a National Historic District, so its old buildings are often well-marked with plaques about their history. We also found a city website with Walking Tour Information – and learned that maps are available at the Visitors Center.

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#2. Admire the Flowers and Art Aesthetic

We found a couple little parklets with amazing golden fall colors! What a beautiful place to hang out.

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#3. Refresh with a Craft Beverage – Coffee Shops, Breweries, Distilleries, and a Meadery!

There are SO MANY great refreshment options in this town! Below are just a couple of places that we tried during our multiple visits.

• The Frothy Cup – Google Maps – cute local coffee shop!
• Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub – Google Maps – Popular restaurant and local Brewery
• Westbound & Down Brewing Company – Google Maps – local Brewery
• Clear Creek Cidery & Eatery – Google Maps – we enjoyed lunch and a cider tasting – yum!
• Slaymaker Cellars Meadery – Google Maps – locally made Meade wine and a beautiful tasting room
• The Bee’s Knees – Google Maps – wine bar

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#4. So many shopping options – our favorite was the local Art and Music Stores!

We enjoyed perusing the wide variety of local art at the Kind Mountain Collective art store! We learned that they also have a Mountain Music Room specializing in acoustic and electric strings and folk music supplies.

• Idaho Springs Art & Music Store | Kind Mountain Collective – “At Kind Mountain Collective we source all of our art directly from local and regional artists, friends and family, and fellow human beings.”

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#5. Eating and Drinking outdoors on Miners Street

There are so many food options in downtown Idaho Springs, many with outdoor patio seating options! During our October visit, the main street was blocked off for several blocks, with tons of shaded outdoor seating. We learned later that this pedestrian mall space is called Miners Street Market – it is very cool!

• Beau Jo’s Idaho Springs – Google Maps
• Main Street Restaurant – Google Maps
• Two Brothers Deli – Google Maps
• MTN Prime – Google Maps
• El Azteca Mexican Restaurant – Google Maps
• The Banana Leaf – Google Maps
• The Buffalo Restaurant & Bar – Google Maps

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#6. Walking around the nearby neighborhoods to admire historic Victorian Era Homes and other Buildings

After exploring the Idaho Springs downtown, we continued walked into the surrounding neighborhood. We enjoyed seeing the many colorful early 1900s era Victorian homes, as well as a couple of historic buildings which are still in use today. Examples include:

• Idaho Springs Elks Lodge 607 – Impressive brick building! And still houses the local chapter of the Elks Club
• United Center Inc – Google Maps – this cute brick church is now an event venue

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#7. Several interesting Museum options – stop by and learn more about Mining History in the Victorian Era… and mine for Gold!

• Historical Society of Idaho Springs & Visitor Center – Google Maps
• Underhill Museum – Google Maps – “Period furnishings & gold-mining artifacts on display in a Victorian home with a courtyard & garden“; we didn’t do this but it gets good google reviews!
• Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel – Google Maps – “Experience the wonder of ingenuity, technology, and entrepreneurial spirit that is the Argo Mill & Tunnel” — you can literally pan for gold here! 🙂

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Annual Events

• June: Furlings Fest – Enjoy live music, libations and the great Rocky Mountain Backdrop! Bring the family friends and Fido! The event includes Animal Rescue organizations looking for forever homes.
• July: 4th of July Town Party – Celebrate 4th of July on Miner Street!
• Live Music Every Tuesday and Thursday 6-8pm
• Friday Nights – Cornhole on Miners Street!

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Organizations that Support Community in Idaho Springs

• Home Page | Idaho Springs CO – city website
  • Plans | Idaho Springs CO – Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Master Plan, etc
• Visit Clear Creek County – Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau – County Tourism bureau
  • Miner Street Market – a safe, friendly (and dog friendly) pedestrian space to allow businesses to expand outdoors!
  • Clear Creek (electronic) Visitors Guide – contains LOTS of things to do and see in the county
• Home – Idaho Springs Elks Lodge 607

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Map of Idaho Springs