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Cripple Creek, CO: More Than Just a Mining Town In the 1890's self proclaimed prospector Bob Womack found a sample of ore that contained the earth's most precious metal in a small gulch near Cripple Creek. e discovery of gold in Colorado brought forth great change to the area and changed the world in many ways. ousands upon thousands came rushing into the great mountainous regions of Colorado in order to get their hands on a chunk of the highly sought aer sparkling stone. When the Cripple Creek District was at it peak the total estimated population of the district neared 40,000 people. e district not only offered a chance to get rich quick, the area also boomed into an area that offered a unique social scene. e town of Cripple Creek escalated into a prosperous town that had much to offer in the shopping and enter- tainment realm. At one time Cripple Creek was the "hap- pening" spot for the entire state of Colorado. If you lived in other parts of the state and were interested in shopping or a night out on the town your best bet would be to book a trip on the train to Cripple Creek. e main shopping area of Cripple Creek was the home of many things that you could not purchase in other parts of the state. In the market square of the town one could purchase anything from fresh fish to a brand new grand piano. e district also offered the best lines of new fashion clothes and had famous department stores that couldn't be found within hundreds of miles. e town also offered an exciting night life with a wide variety of entertainment. e well known Myers Avenue was host to one of the most famous "red light districts" of the world. e district was the home of a total of three opera houses two in Cripple Creek and one in Victor. All three of these opera houses were built to entertain up to 1,200 people. ese opera houses provided many options of entertainment. Among the opera houses the district provided a wide array of other venues from smaller stage and theater venues to a variety of outdoor entertainment venues. ese out door settings ranged from outdoor amphitheaters to baseball parks to horse racing arenas. In one small town of the mining district called Cameron, the Woods brothers who were the major investors that developed the booming town of Victor, CO, decided to build a place that offered a cleaner and more family oriented type of entertainment for the miners. In the small town to be, first called "Grassy", the Wood Brothers decided to build a huge amusement park and zoo while the town was first being plot- ted and settled. e idea was to get the miners of the district out of the saloons, gambling halls and brothels of Cripple Creek's infamous "red light district" and into an area where they could have fun on their days off and be entertained in a more family oriented environment. "Pinnacle Park" perhaps named from the infamous gold producing Pinnacle Mine, featured a large vari- ety of entertainment geared towards the whole family. Inside the huge park a 1900's miner could bring his family or come alone to enjoy the many things Pinna- cle Park had to offer. e park featured a large amuse- ment park with a carousel and many other rides for the younger crowds. e gigantic property also featured a large outdoor dance pavilion that was big enough to allow over 1,000 couples to "bust a move" in the Colo- rado sunlight while enjoying the sounds of a local or traveling live band. Continued on page 19... 18 e Grand Opera House in Cripple Creek, CO. 1897-1907