A Quick History of Idaho Springs

Tales of the golden era of mining and tourism abound in Idaho Springs, a National Historic District cradled between the mountains in central Clear Creek County, Colorado. Gold and mineral hot springs provided the foundation for the growth of this quaint mountain town that has often been referred to as the "Buckle of Colorado's Mineral Belt."

It was here, on January 7, 1859, that George Andrew Jackson, cousin of Kit Carson, filled his tin cup with gold dust and instigated the "Pikes Peak Gold Rush," later to be known as the biggest of all gold rushes in American history.