Victor Heritage Society
Working Together to Preserve 
Historic Victor, Colorado
City of Gold Mines
  • Home
    • La Jean Greeson"s Presentations at Gold Coin Club in Victor, Colorado
    • Round Table Discussion in Pinnacle Park by Victor Historians
    • 2024 Historic Building Tour, Victor, Colorado
    • Ceremony Remembering the Teller County Gold Star Servicemen of WWII in Wallace Park
    • Victor Heritage Society Picnic at Bison Reservoir
  • Preservation Successes
  • Activities
  • Landmarks
  • Guidelines & Galleries
    • Guide to Preserving Our Architectural Heritage
    • Photo Gallery of Victor Residential Gems
    • Photo Gallery of Victor Businesses Operating in Historic Buildings
    • Photo Gallery of Historic Victor Homes & Buildings--Then & Now
    • Photo Gallery of Historic Victor Artwork by Fred Shane, Circa 1942
    • Photo Gallery of Historic Gold Mines >
      • Stratton's Independence Mine
      • Restoring the Historic Headframe of Stratton's Independence Mine
      • Gold Coin Mine--Part of the Woods Empire
      • Vindicator Mine
    • Photos From 1903-04 Labor Strike in Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District.
    • Step Back in Time with Glimpses of Historical Photos Featuring Victor, Colorado & the Surrounding Mining District
  • Oral History
    • Theodore Roosevelt's Chaotic & Triumphant Visits to Victor
    • “The Only Swedish Grocery Store in Victor”: The J.A. “Joseph” Beckman Family in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado, 1896-1915 by Richard "Dick" Markley.
    • Goold Family Historic Ties to Victor, Colorado & Famous Former Residents of the City by Nellie Goold Young.
    • Memories of H. L. Turner (1882-1967) and His Experiences in the Early Days of the Cripple Creek Mining District.
    • H. L. Turner Story--Part 2: Unique Perspectives About the History of Victor, Colorado & the Cripple Creek Mining District.
    • Tragedies When I Was Growing Up In Victor by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of James Garth Payne & How He Came to Letter Names on the Original WWII Roll of Honor in Victor and Cripple Creek, Colorado.
    • Winters in Victor, Colorado during the 1940's & 50's by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack)
    • Biking & Hockey in Victor, Colorado -- The Passions of Brian Hayes
    • Sports in Victor, Colorado & Memories of the 1949 Pikes Peak Junior High Basketball Tournament
    • Abbott Family Memories Made in Victor, Colorado: The House & Antiques Shop -- by Debbie Abbott.
    • Abbott Family Memories Made in Victor, Colorado: Digging At the Dump -- by Steve Abbott.
    • Abbott Family Memories Made in Victor, Colorado: Mom & Her Victor Friends -- by Dave Abbott.
    • A History of VICTOR, COLORADO--THE CITY OF MINES, compiled and published in 1933 by S. E. Poet, Superintendent of Public Schools at Victor.
    • Carl Roy's Oral History Videos -- Life in Victor, Colorado
    • The Miner’s Photograph: A Pathway to the Past by Steven Wade Veatch.
    • Recollections of My Life in Victor, Colorado during the Depression, WWII, & After By Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack)
    • Memories of Washington Elementary--My First School in Victor, Colorado by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Adventures at the Beaver Valley Ranch While Growing up in Victor, Colorado by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of the Ina & Henry Cleveland Hack Family by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • The Lighter Side of a Visit to Hack's Victor Barber Shop by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of Margaret & Henry C. "June" Hack, Jr. by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memorabilia from Cripple Creek & Victor High School Bands Directed by Ernest T. Sly from 1939 to 1950.
    • A Day in the Cresson Mine by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Firewood For Victor, Colorado by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of My Grandfather, John Reed Gardner (1864-1951)--Gardner Mercantile Owner, Bank President, Insurance Company Executive. By John Reed Gardner, II (grandson).
    • Tarie Huber Oral History Videos -- Life in Victor, Colorado
    • 1896 Shooting Affray at Union Theater in Victor, Colorado.
    • Memories of Mrs. Katy Bemore, resident of Independence when the deport was blown up in 1904.
    • Working Underground in the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District, 1972 to 1979: How I Got the Shaft, the Gas, and the Broken Steel by Randall Stewart.
    • INSTALLMENT #1. Seven Generations In Victor, Colorado and The Mining District—The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker.
    • INSTALLMENT #2. Seven Generations In Victor, Colorado and The Mining District—The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker.
    • INSTALLMENT #3. Seven Generations In Victor, Colorado and The Mining District—The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker.
    • Memories of Edward Franklin Page: Watchman at the Stratton Mines and Subsequently a Mine Manager, Farmer, Retail Businessman, & Banker.
    • Tom Schryver's Memories of Growing Up in Victor, Colorado and His Parents--Mayme & Charles "Bumps" Chapman.
    • McCormick Family Connections to Victor, Colorado (1893-2014) by Mary Ann McCormick Hamm.
    • Paying the Piper by Gertrude Moore McGowan.
    • Gold Camp Celebration--Fourth of July in Victor, Early 1900's by Gertrude Moore McGowan.
    • Memories of Lulu Ella Manson & Harry Gordon Moore by Gertrude Moore McGowan
    • Memories of Fannie & Alfred Osborn by Marge Breth
    • Memories of Cripple Creek & Victor, 1945-62, by Mary Alice Orazen
    • The Story of Axel Olson & His Golden Girl, Betzi Johnson, by Shirley Beach.
    • Memories of Mr. and Mrs. Axel Olson by KC Garver
    • Victor Recollections--Mountain Doctor, Small Town Cop, Gus's Sporting Goods, & Little Toy Pocket Knife by Floyd Frank
    • Memories of Lowell Thomas--Victor"s Most Famous Former Resident
    • Memories of the Gold Rush Era in Victor by Edgar McGowan
    • A Day In the Life of a Miner by Chuck Clark
    • Underground Mining Experiences at the Cresson and Ajax by Myron House
    • Hynes Brothers "Clean Ice" for Victor, Colorado--Memories of Mary Ellen Hynes Chetelat.
    • Marguerite Clark--One of Victor's Angels by Chuck Clark
    • Charlie Clark & the Quality Cash Market by Chuck Clark
    • Pop Sly -- Ernest T. Sly, The Band Man by Chuck Clark
    • Mr. Mortenson--The Victor Shoemaker by Chuck Clark
    • Heninger Family Memories of Victor, Portland Junction, & Independence: 1909-1916, by Virginia & Edgar Heninger
    • Reflections on Goldfield by Carol Roberts
    • Growing Up In Victor in the 1930's by Bob Penman
  • Visit

 Visit Historic Victor and the Memories Will Follow You Home.
Stay for a Lifetime and Enjoy the Unique Lifestyle with Family and Friends.

​Things To Do When Visiting Historic Victor, Colorado -- Plus Interesting Links

Arrive and Depart Via a Scenic Byway or Shuttle:
  • All Roads into Victor Offer Breathtaking Scenic Views -- Highway 67/Teller 81 (paved), Phantom Canyon Road, Shelf Road, Gold Camp Road, High Park Road/Teller One (paved).  Click Here for routes to Victor that are part of the acclaimed Colorado & National Gold Belt Scenic Byway. 
  • Ride the shuttle between Cripple Creek & Victor -- Arrives & departs from trolley shelter in Victor across the street from the Claim Jumper General Store & Post Office at 106 N 3rd Street; Arrives and departs from the trolley shelter on Bennett Ave in Cripple Creek.  Click Here for the Shuttle Schedule.​
View the Huge Troll:  "Rita the Rock Planter"-- constructed by Thomas Dambo (the famous Danish recycle art activist) on the Little Grouse Mountain Trail near Victor, click link for details.
Stop at the Visitors Center in the Historic Alta Vista Railroad Depot for informational brochures, suggestions, and public restrooms in the park at the corner of Victor Ave & 2nd Street.  Off-street parking and modern public restrooms also available at the Parking Plaza on North 3rd St (across the street from the Claim Jumper Convenience Store & U.S. Post Office).
Visit Museums:
  • Victor's Gold Camp Agriculture & Mining Museum -- corner of Victor Ave & 2nd Street, open 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday through Sunday, Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, click link for more information.
  •  ​Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum -- corner of Victor Ave & 3rd Street, admission $10 per person, operating hours vary by time of year, click link or call 719-689-5509 to check dates & times open as well as sponsored activities, events, and tours.  Selected activities & sponsored tours listed below.
  • Pan for Gold at the Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum — corner of Victor Ave & 3rd St, summer months, 10 AM to 4 PM Daily; $10 per person also includes admission to museum, click link or call 719-689-5509 for details.
  • ​​​​Spirits of Sunnyside Cemetery Guided Walking Tours -- Tickets $15 single, $12.50 each additional.  Click link or call (719-689-5509) to check availability, select a date & time, and make confirmed on-line reservations.  Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the tour.
  • ​​"Stranger Side of Victor" Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Victor  -- Tickets $15 single, $12.50 each additional.  Click link or call (719-689-5509) to check availability, select a date & time, and make confirmed on-line reservations.  Allow one-hour for the tour.
  • ​​Gold Camp Adventures Narrated Bus Tours of Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District -- Special group tours of the Mining District Welcome by prior arrangement departing from the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum  (corner of Victor Ave & 3rd St).  For details click link (or call 719-689-5509) to make arrangements, for date & time.  Allow about 2 hours for the tour.
Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of the National Register Historic Business District featuring 15 curbside interpretive signs with historic photos and information from the Gold Rush Era.  Free printed tour map & brochures available from the Alta Vista Depot Victors Center (corner of Victor Ave & 2nd St), Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum (corner of Victor Ave & 3rd St), & distribution boxes attached to selected sign posts.
Walk or Drive Through the Historic Residential Neighborhoods of Victor -- click links to view a Photo Gallery of Selected Residential Gems and view or print a downloadable Booklet Describing Notable Architectural Features Residents Are Encouraged to Preserve .
Hike, Bike, Ride Horseback, Snowshoe, or Cross-Country Ski on an extensive Network of Scenic Trails through historic mining areas with interpretive signage and spectacular mountain views.  Click links for trail-head locations, descriptions and maps.  FOR YOUR SAFETY, DO NOT STRAY BEYOND THE MARKED TRAILS.  Most of the trails are sponsored by the Southern Teller County Focus Group in cooperation with Newmont's Cripple Creek & Victor Mining Company.
  • Battle Mountain Trail, Independence Mill Site Trail & Stratton Outdoor Amphitheater. 
  • Golden Circle Trail. 
  • Vindicator Valley Trail and Purple Flourite Trail.
  • Brief Downtown Victor Walking Trail. 
  • Lawrence Trail. 
  • Sunnyside Trail.
  • Little Grouse Mountain Trails.
  • VolksMarch 3.1 & 6.2 Mile Hikes — click link to view & print VolksMarch hiking trail guides starting from the Claim Jumper Convenience Store at 106 N 3rd St.  Directly across the street is the Pinnacle Plaza free parking lot with public restrooms.  
Other printed trail guides available from the Alta Vista Depot Visitors’ Center (corner of Victor Ave & 2nd St), the Victor/Lowell Thomas Museum (corner of Victor Ave & 3rd St) and on-line. 
​Refresh Yourself at these Unique Victor Food and Beverage Establishments:  
  • Mining Claim 1899 Saloon (315 Victor Ave, 719-494-4625) — bar and grill with burgers and sandwiches.
  • K&L Claim Jumper (106 N 3rd St, 719-689-3601) — convenience store, groceries and snacks; notice the vintage U.S. Postal Service Facilities still used today in back of the store. ​
  • Gold Camp Bakery (112 S 3rd, 719-689-9300) — soup, sandwiches, and baked goods.
  • Phantom Canyon Coffee & Gifts (301 Victor Ave, 303-437-8753) -- coffee & gift shop.    ​
  • Victor Elks Lodge (3rd & Diamond Ave) — bar and special events. 
Stay Overnight in Comfortable Accommodations with a Historic Flavor: 
  • Victor Hotel — corner of Victor Ave & 4th St, 800-713-4595, period furnished rooms with private baths, click link to make reservations. 
  • Historic Page Building -- 123 N 4th St, 719-822-4862, air bnbs, vrbos, click link to make reservations.
  • ​​Black Monarch Hotel — corner of Victor Ave & North 3rd St.
  • Licensed Lodging Businesses -- short & longer-term accommodations.​
​Shop in these Unique Victor Retail Establishments — also see Photo Gallery of Businesses Operating in Historic Buildings:
  • Victor Trading & Manufacturing Company (114 S 3rd St, 719-689-2346) — Owners demonstrate the use of vintage tools and equipment from the late 1800's and early 1900's as they hand-make brooms, candles, tin cookie cutters & miniature miners' lunch boxes, fused glass, letter press materials and gift items. Click Link for a preview. ​​
  • Mountain High Antiques (123 N 4th St, 719-822-4862) — antiques, collectibles, & gift shop.
  • Muleshoe Antiques (126 S 3rd St) — antiques and collectibles.​
  • Victor's Gold Camp Artists Co-op (corner of Victor Ave & S 2nd St, 719-689-3048), upper level of the Ag & Mining Museum, 10 AM to 5 PM Friday thru Sunday during warmer months — fine art and handmade crafts.
  • Claim Jumper General Store (106 N 3rd St, 719-689-3601) — snacks, liquor, & convenience store.  Notice the vintage Victor U.S. Post Office Facilities located and operating at the back of the store. 
  • Twin Flame Gallery (102 S 4th St) — features fine photography and artwork by local artists, a diorama depicting Victor circa 1899 / early 1900's, a WWII Veterans Scrapbook and other historical materials in the recently restored building. Click link.
  • Victor E-Bike Rentals & Antiques (313 Victor Ave, 719-231-1284) — E-Bike rentals, antiques, collectibles and rummage sales.
Attend Sunday Worship Services at the Historic Baptist Church (11 AM, corner of S 4th St & Portland Ave).  Attend special events held at Saint Victor’s Catholic Church (corner of S 2nd St & Portland Ave).
​Enjoy Victor Parks & Recreation Facilities:
  • Picnic at the Gazebo in Wallace Park at the corner of Victor Ave & 2nd St. -- public restrooms available.
  • Use the children's playground equipment in Washington Park on S 2nd St. 
  • Skate at the newly refurbished outdoor hockey rink, enter from corner of S 4th St & Spicer Ave —  winter only. 
  • Play a game of softball, baseball, or soccer in the historic Gold Bowl Park at 2nd & Victor Ave.
Visit the Victor Public Library to Research Your Family History using turn-of-the-century Gold Camp City Directories, Victor Sanborn Maps, and desktop computers — 124 S 3rd St, open weekdays, 12 noon to 4 PM, closed Saturday & Sunday.  Call 719-689-2011 to confirm availability and hours; click highlighted link to access online resources such as a Collection of Historical City Directories from 1894 to 1917.  
Mark Your Calendar and Plan to Attend Annual Festivals & Special Events that Celebrate Victor's Unique Heritage.  Bring your family & friends.    
  • Presentation About the Great Victor Fire by Gary Horton at Lowell Tomas Museum -- August 17, 2024, 10 am.  Click link to make reservation.
  • Victor Celebrates the Arts, Labor Day Weekend Plein Air Art Show & Sale -- Aug 31 thru Sept 2, 2024.  Click link for details. 
  • Victor Heritage Days -- Sept 6-8, 2024.  ​​Friday, Sept 6--Free Narrated Power-Point Presentation (5 pm & 7 pm) by La Jean Greeson featuring Historical Photos Illustrating Victor's Amazing History at the Gold Coin Club (located on Diamond Ave between 4th St & 5th St).  Due to space limitations, reservations must be made for either 5 pm or 7 pm, click links for details; Saturday, Sept 7--Free Panel Discussion in Plaza on N 3rd St (10 am) featuring Victor Historians, long-time former & current residents of Victor moderated by La Jean Greeson; Victor Historic Home & Building Tour (1 pm to 4 pm), tickets with maps $10 per person available at Twin Flame Gallery (102 S 4th St) & Victor Artists' Co-op (corner of Victor Ave & 2nd St), children 10 & under free when accompanied by an adults; Sunday, Sept 8--Ceremony Recognizing Our of Gold Star WWII Veterans at the Memorial in Wallace Park led by Steve Plutt (12 noon, corner of Victor Ave & 2nd St); Victor Heritage Society Picnic at Bison Reservoir (1:30 pm to 3:30 pm).  Click links back for details.
  • Annual Victor Pack Burro Race -- Sept 7, 2024, race departs from downtown Victor at noon, click link for details.
  • Spectacular Aspen Leaf Viewing — late Sept / early Oct, along all roads leading to and from Victor.
  • Gold Camp 2024 Christmas Headframe Lights — Nov 30, 2024 through Jan 1, 2025, click link for details to be announced.
  • Victor Christmas Parade & Events  —  Dec 13, 2024, click link for details.
    ​
Click These Interesting Links
​for More Reasons to Visit Victor & the Mining District
  • ​​Fantastic 1901 Victor Photo
  • Fantastic 1903 Victor Photo​
  • Fantastic 1903 Goldfield Photo
  • ​Fantastic 1903 Battle Mtn Mines Photo
  • Fantastic Drone Video & Still Photos of Vindicator Valley, Victor, & Surrounding Area
  • Save the Miners' Union Hall Web Page
  • Save the Miners' Union Hall Video
  • Wikipedia Article on the Colorado Labor Wars
  • An Older Poetic Video of Victor
  • ​Pre-Visualization of Victor Trolley​
  • Trailer for Lowell Thomas Documentary​​
  • Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum​​
  • Victor's Ag & Mining Museum
  • ​Teller Historic & Environmental Coalition--scroll down to load iPhone or Android apps to follow any of seven different routes highlighting the historical legacy of Teller County which can be taken singly or in sequence (physically or virtually) even where cell service is not available.​  The routes recreate the sights and sounds of the history and legacy of Teller County history - from the voices of the Utes and homesteaders to the sounds of steam trains and the gold rush. ​
  • Ute Pass Historical Society
  • Pikes Peak Historical Society
  • Cripple Creek District Museum
  • Victor City Government
  • Florence Pioneer Museum
  • Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center
  • All Things Victor -- Attractions, Events, Heritage Sites, Hiking Trails, History, Gold Panning, Mining Tours, Museums, Walking Tours, Visitor Information, City Government, Businesses, and More. ​
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We Would Love to See You Visit The Gold Camp Soon!  


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