South Park City Colorado Tourism

The year was 1859. Gold was discovered in South Park and the rush was on! Hordes of gold-seekers spilled into the Park, and within a few short months the mountains were dotted with mining camps sporting names like Tarryall, Eureka and Buckskin Joe.

During the next several decades the promise of riches became reality. The families of those early prospectors arrived and with them the need for improved goods, services and social activities. Entrepreneurs in every field and trade recognized the opportunity, and rough camps were transformed into thriving communities.

South Park City is a remarkable restoration of one of those early towns. Conceived as a means of preserving deteriorating buildings as well as pioneer history, it was opened to the public in 1959, just 100 years after the first gold rush to the Rockies. It is an accurate representation of a mining town between 1860 and 1900. Thirty-six period buildings filled with over 60,000 artifacts portray most of the economic and social aspects of boom town life. The restored buildings contain room settings and exhibits illustrating the professions, trades and industries that contributed to life in a nineteenth century mining town.

A visit to South Park City will enhance your understanding of life in those rip-roaring days when life was risky, fortunes were made or lost overnight, and men and women of vision laid the groundwork for Colorado’s future.

You will never forget your encounter with history in South Park City.