COLORADO Downtown Cripple Creek When it was time to put down their tools and emerge from the mine, most men steered straight downtown to the bars and brothels to let off some steam. After a rousing night at the saloon, many community members staggered to the thriving red-light district, home to more than 300 ladies of the night. EFRAIN M. PADRÓ Where to Go : Saunter over to the Old Homestead House Museum , the most elegant brothel in town, which was a popular spot with the region’s elite. Tour the building, brimming with story-filled artifacts of the era, and tune into tales of the women who lived there and the men who frequented the establishment. You can even meet Pearl de Vere, known as the “soiled dove of Cripple Creek,” who ran the operation, famous for her keen business mind and impeccable style. In 1894, more than 150 mines operated in the area, and workmen formed a union. When the workday swelled and pay didn’t increase, the miners went on strike. This lack of labor shut the chutes to most of the mines in the area, causing pressure to build between the strikers, the owners and the military men they hired to quell the unrest. Soon, then-Colorado Governor Waite sat down with both parties and negotiated an eight-hour day with a fair wage. This settlement created some predictability for the local workers moving forward. Where to Go: Step into the dusty boots of an outlaw at the Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum , where you can get a glimpse at the life of prisoners and local law enforcement from this era. Feeling brave? Ask about the paranormal activity in the museum. Over the years, visitors have reported apparitions, mysteriously opening doors, cold spots and other hair-raising encounters. COLORADO . COM 91
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2024: Page 91
