The History of the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad





In 1890, cowboy and prospector Bob Womack discovered the rich gold ore that touched off the legendary Cripple Creek Gold Rush. The ranching country on Pikes Peak's western slopes was quickly transformed as prospectors flocked to the area.



With the discovery of gold, it became a high priority to link the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District to the cities of the Front Range and Arkansas Valley. Roads, and later railroads, carried construction materials, food, clothing, coal, ore and people to and from the District.

   



In 1892, Cañon City completed the Shelf Road, the first stage route linking the Arkansas Valley with the District. A trip along the Shelf Road took six hours upgrade and four hours downgrade. Tolls ranged from thirty cents for a horse and rider to $1.75 for a six-horse stagecoach.



Soon after, Florence completed the Florence and Cripple Creek Free Road through Phantom Canyon. In 1894, the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad (F&CC) replaced that road. This narrow gauge railroad quickly became the major transportation link between the gold camps and the Arkansas Valley. Twelve stations were established along the F&CC Railroad grade to service the trains hauling coal and supplies upgrade and gold ore downgrade to Florence's smelters.

   

On 13 April 1897 Lucian D. Ross, Thomas Burk, James L. Lindsay, W.T. Doubt and Kurnel R. Babbitt organized the Cripple Creek District Railway Company to operate a 6.25 mile standard gauge electric line between Cripple Creek and Victor. The Articles of Incorporation were amended 17 November 1899, at which time the line’s name was changed to Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway. An extension to Colorado Springs opened in April 1901. From 1897 to 1904 the Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway remained under the control of local investors. After gaining control of the line through stock ownership in 1904, the Colorado & Southern directed operations until 1911.

   

After the line lost money due to competition from the Florence and Cripple Creek Railway and the Midland Terminal Railway, the Colorado & Southern, in 1911, leased the Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway to the Florence and Cripple Creek. In 1915 this lease was transferred to the Cripple Creek Central Railway, which also controlled the Midland Terminal Railway. By 1917 most rail traffic in the area was directed to the Midland Terminal Railway. The loss of the Bear Creek Bridge in May 1918 cut off all direct traffic from Colorado springs. The Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway was declared bankrupt in 1919, at which time it went into receivership. All operations ceased in 1920 and the line was sold for scrap.





       

Today, not much is left of the original Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad. The original roadbed is now a scenic route called the Phantom Canyon Road. The gravel road follows the route of the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894 as a connection from Florence to the goldfields of Cripple Creek and Victor. This road is one of the most scenic and historic drives in Colorado. The route increases in elevation from 5,500 to 9,500 feet and offers the chance to see a wide range of plants and wildlife in their natural setting. The unique bridges and tunnels offer a visual link to the areas historic past.

   

Historic photos on this page are courtesy of:

Cripple Creek District Museum, Lowell Thomas Museum
Colorado State Historical Society via Bob Curzen of the Florence Citizen
Old Colorado City Historical Society
Special Collections, Tutt Library, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado