History Colorado

Route 66 is celebrating 100 years on the open road. While the fabled route doesn’t include Colorado on its 2,400 mile long stretch, a few of our own highways like US Route 36 are also a century old this year. That’s no coincidence, as the federal highway system became official in 1926. The roads reduced rural isolation and generated tourism and hospitality revenue from travelers passing through quirky roadside attractions and motor lodges.

As personal automobiles became more prevalent throughout the middle of the twentieth century, so did road trips. But ultimately, convenience won out over leisurely journeys, in large part due to the Interstate Highway System implementation in 1956. Route 66 was bypassed by several of these new freeways and eventually decommissioned in 1985.

Preservation efforts are underway, and travelers can still opt to take a trip back to yesteryear with plenty of neon signs to light their path.

Whichever route brings you to the History Colorado Center, be sure to make a pit stop at the "Moments That Made US" exhibition which features US highways and their pivotal role in shaping American life.

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Image: Picture postcards touted speedy travel along new highways criss-crossing the nation. History Colorado

Don't miss these upcoming events & experiences! Get the details at: https://h-co.org/events-experiences

Mining helped forge our Centennial State. In 1858, the discovery of gold along the South Platte River and Cherry Creek sparked a flood of over 100,000 hopeful prospectors to the region. These miners founded towns, purchased supplies, and formed the backbone of the economy. From Erie’s coal fields to Central City’s gold strikes, the mining industry touched much of the land that would become Colorado.

In order to become a state, Colorado needed the support of these miners. Statehood attempts in 1859 and 1864 failed because miners were concerned about high taxes. But rich discoveries of gold and silver in the 1870s supported Colorado’s economy, enabling statehood’s passage in 1876. As we commemorate the 150th anniversary of Colorado, we can reflect on the mining industry’s enduring impact on the Centennial State.

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Image: Mining at Gregory Gulch, 1859. History Colorado 99.270.4207
America 250 - Colorado 150 Commemoration

With a little intuition and a few scoops of his shovel, John H. Gregory changed the trajectory of Colorado’s story forever. It was May 6, 1859—the day the famous prospector discovered one of the richest gold deposits in the state. By the end of the week, he had excavated gold ore worth more than $1000.

News of gold flakes in Colorado’s streams was not new by the time Mr. Gregory made his discovery. Other prospectors were already panning along the Platte River and Cherry Creek. But what he established in the hills above Clear Creek near what would become Central City was something different altogether: a hard rock gold mining industry that created an area boosters called “the richest square mile on Earth.”

Gregory’s discovery launched the Colorado Gold Rush, sending thousands of hopeful argonauts on a trek across the plains and sparked a nearly instantaneous (and often violent and wrenching) transformation. As a historian, I haven’t encountered many moments when so much change can be pinned to such a specific starting point. But that day in early May was the inflection point that informs everything that came after. Reflecting on the Gold Rush in Colorado’s 150th year makes it that much clearer: It’s the moment that set us on the path towards becoming the state we are today.

—Sam Bock, Director of Publications and Interpretation

Learn more about Colorado’s long road to statehood in our exhibition, "38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State." Now on view at the History Colorado Center.

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Image: Central City was booming in just a few short years after John H. Gregory struck gold, as photographed here in 1864 by G.D. Wakely. History Colorado, 83.255.1

"The History Colorado Center is one of only eight museums receiving this special collection to honor 250 years of American independence." -9News

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Freedom Plane National Tour makes a stop in Denver The History Colorado Center is one of only eight museums receiving this special collection to honor 250 years of American independence.

What an incredible kickoff for the Freedom Plane National Tour in Colorado! ✈️

Bringing an initiative like this to life truly takes a village, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this moment possible yesterday— from our partners, sponsors, and staff to every visitor who came to experience these remarkable documents firsthand.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the history, ideals, and stories that continue to shape our nation. We’re honored to share this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition with Colorado.

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US National Archives
The Boeing Company
National Archives Foundation
America 250 - Colorado 150 Commemoration
Denver International Airport
Koelbel Communities