Georgetown Colorado
The community of Georgetown, Colorado is the county seat of Clear Creek County and is found on the main route off Interstate-70 between Idaho Springs and the Eisenhower Tunnel. It’s a historic town that was originally a silver mining camp along Clear Creek during the Pike’s Peak Gold rush, and was founded in 1859. Other mining communities which started up around the area included Silver Plume, which is a short distance away and still connects to Georgetown via the Georgetown Loop railway. It’s a beautiful high altitude Rocky Mountain location and although she’s no longer “the Silver Queen of Colorado”, Georgetown is a charming and interesting community to visit and enjoy.
More Town Facts
| Region: Front Range | County: Clear Creek | |
| Latitude: 39.712381 | Longitude: -105.695845 | Elevation: 8,530 ft (2,600 m) |
Many features and buildings in Georgetown help to preserve the past and allow visitors to see a piece of Colorado mining history from the turn of the last century. It was 1864 when two prospectors from Kentucky struck silver in the surrounding mountains and the Argentine Pass area. In the months that followed, Georgetown was not used as a mining camp, but as the center for the commerce, trade and entertainment for the many mining camps which were in the area. 
Becoming the county seat, in place of Idaho Springs, prompted the need for the now historic courthouse which was built in 1868. As the mining industry grew, and the Colorado Central Narrow Gauge Railroad was constructed, the railway from Golden, Colorado into the area further increased the importance of this town. The only remaining part of the historic rail line is still in use and a favorite with tourists and visitors; the Georgetown Loop. It’s truly a marvel of engineering, covering a substantial rise in elevation by switchback loops along the mountainous terrain. It includes horseshoe curves, grades of up to 4%, and 4 bridges across Clear Creek, including the massive Devil’s Gate High Bridge.
In the late 1890′s, a peak population of more than 10,000 people made the Georgetown residents consider petitioning the Governor to move the state capital there. Although Georgetown doesn’t hold that distinction, it is the only Colorado municipality that still operates under a charter from the Territory of Colorado. It also has the federally designated Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic District, comprising Georgetown and the neighboring Town of Silver Plume, and the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park between the two towns. This is also a fun historical destination to visit.
In more modern history, Georgetown realized the strategic position it held in the path of people who were traveling to Clear Creek County, Summit County and beyond for skiing. The local ski areas such as Loveland Pass and Guanella Pass brought visitors to Georgetown. As the town grew and adjusted, restaurants, shops and a newly built historic museum gave people something to enjoy and come back for. The little community also played host to some Hollywood movie stars including Clint Eastwood, who filmed in the town in 1978, 1986 and 1998. The town of Georgetown is certainly an interesting destination and has many activities which are family friendly and fun. There is nearby camping and skiing, mountain bike paths, scenic drives, wildlife and at the top of Loveland Pass is a portion of the Continental Divide which is spectacular. The Georgetown Lakes are charming, and fun for fishing in summer, and ice racing in winter. There is always something to see and do in Georgetown, Colorado.
Georgetown Photo Gallery
