The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow gauge United States heritage railroad located in the Rocky Mountains in Clear Creek County , adjacent to Interstate 70 in Colorado .
41-445: This tourist train runs between the communities of Georgetown and Silver Plume , a distance of 2 miles (3.2 km). The route is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long and ascends an elevation of 640 feet (195.1 m) through mountainous terrain along with trestles , cuts , fills , and a grand loop. The railroad is situated near I-70, with Silver Plume Depot sitting adjacent to the eastbound on-ramp. Just east of Silver Plume on I-70 there
82-468: A female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.67. In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
123-587: A large collection of 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow-gauge rolling stock and provides narrow-gauge train rides on special event days known as "Steam Up days". The museum also has ex- Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad No. 683 , a coal-burning 2-8-0 " Consolidation " type steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1890, builders number 11207. It is the only surviving 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ( 1,435 mm ) standard gauge steam locomotive from
164-733: A reconstructed depot telegrapher's office, complete with a working telegraph sounder . The lower level of the museum building contains an exhibition hall which features seasonal and traveling displays on railroading history. The lower level also contains the Denver HO Model Railroad Club's "Denver and Western" operating HO and HOn3 scale model train layout that represent Colorado's rail history in miniature. The Robert W. Richardson Library houses over 10,000 rare historic photographs, along with other reference materials such as timetables, maps, employee records and engineering documents about Colorado railroads. The museum has
205-461: Is a larger community today. The historic courthouse dates from this year. Georgetown is the only Colorado municipality that still operates under a charter from the Territory of Colorado which includes a Police Judge as Mayor and a Board of Selectmen instead of a Town Council. The building of the narrow gauge Colorado Central Railroad up the canyon from Golden in the 1870s further increased
246-501: Is a parking area named Georgetown Loop Overlook providing scenic views to motorists. The Clear Creek Greenway Trail access road connects Silver Plume Depot, Georgetown Loop Overlook, and the Devil's Gate Station near Georgetown. This trail is accessible to bicyclists and hikers. The Georgetown Loop Railroad was one of Colorado's first visitor attractions. This spectacular stretch of 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow gauge railroad, built by
287-495: Is located in the valley of Clear Creek . Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 6 run along the western edge of the town, with access from Exit 228. It is 45 miles (72 km) east to Denver and 22 miles (35 km) west across the Continental Divide to Silverthorne . At the 2020 United States Census , the town had a total area of 703 acres (2.845 km ) including 65 acres (0.262 km ) of water. According to
328-608: Is the county seat of Clear Creek County , Colorado , United States. The town population was 1,118 at the 2020 United States Census . The former silver mining camp along Clear Creek in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains was established in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush . The federally designated Georgetown-Silver Plume Historic District comprises Georgetown, the neighboring town of Silver Plume , and
369-760: The Colorado Railroad Museum for storage. The Loop endured hardship after the Railstar takeover, including a lack of steam locomotives, derailments that resulted in Federal Railroad Administration investigation, and unreliable equipment that would often break down and leave the railroad closed for days at a time during peak tourist season. At its lowest point, annual Loop ridership under Railstar fell from 130,000 riders per year to 51,000 riders per year. This left both local businesses and railroad enthusiasts very displeased with
410-539: The Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park between the two towns. The Georgetown Post Office has the ZIP code 80444. The town sits at an elevation of 8,530 feet (2,600 m) above sea level, nestled in the mountains near the upper end of the valley of Clear Creek in the mountains west of Denver along Interstate 70 . Although population was only about 1,000 at the 2010 census,
451-692: The Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway , was completed in 1884 and considered an engineering marvel for its time. The thriving mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume lie 2 miles (3.2 km) apart in the steep, narrow canyon of Clear Creek in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver . Engineers designed a corkscrew route that traveled nearly twice that distance to connect them, slowly gaining more than 600 feet (183 m) in elevation. The route included horseshoe curves , grades of up to 4%, and four bridges across Clear Creek, including
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#1732786669553492-533: The Köppen Climate Classification system, Georgetown has a warm-summer humid continental climate , abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,088 people, 503 households, and 278 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,146.2 inhabitants per square mile (442.6/km ). There were 670 housing units at an average density of 705.8 units per square mile (272.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of
533-508: The poverty line , including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over. Colorado Railroad Museum The Colorado Railroad Museum is a non-profit railroad museum . The museum is located on 15 acres (6.1 ha) at a point where Clear Creek flows between North and South Table Mountains in Golden , Colorado . The museum was established in 1959 to preserve a record of Colorado 's flamboyant railroad era, particularly
574-426: The 1950s the town began to experience a small renaissance as an après-ski watering hole for the thousands of skiers who passed through the town on their way down from the mountains at the ski areas near Loveland Pass and Guanella Pass . Small craft shops began to set up businesses in the once decrepit 19th century storefronts. By the late 1960s, the establishment of a museum in one of the historic hotels had made
615-614: The Bowman/White House in Georgetown (a historical site today). There they raised two daughters, Iorria and Mary Ellen ("Mellie"). In 1899, Iorria married J. E. Carnal and moved to Ohio. For the most part, Mellie (1876–1969) stayed in the family home after she married John James ("J.J.") White (1870–1932) in 1901. She inherited half of her father's share in the American Sisters Mine and served on
656-456: The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. All of the railroad equipment is displayed outdoors. Display tracks are complete with a rare three-way stub switch , dual gauge track and switches and century-old switch stands. These tracks hold over 100 historic narrow and standard gauge locomotives and cars. The 1 ⁄ 3 mile (0.54 km) oval of 3 ft ( 914 mm ) gauge track
697-504: The Dirtwater Fox ", with Goldie Hawn and George Segal. In addition, it has been the site for the filming of various commercials, and some music videos, including part of John Tesh's "A Romantic Christmas." The Sonic Bloom Music Festival takes place every June in Georgetown. On February 19, 2020, a dog named Parker was sworn in as honorary mayor of Georgetown. He was unanimously elected by the town Board of Selectmen. Georgetown
738-640: The Georgetown Library Association from 1911–1922. Mellie's husband, John James White Sr., bought the remaining stock of what was now called the Two American Sisters Mine. He managed construction of a dam and power plant north of Georgetown, and built a new shaft house and mill at the mine site. White, an attorney, practiced law, served as the Police Judge (Mayor) of Georgetown from 1900–1902, and
779-655: The Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park was formed by the Colorado Historical Society . The Colorado Historical Society's chairman negotiated a donation of mining claims and mills, and nearly 100 acres (40 ha) of land. Interest in restoration of the Loop segment as a tourist attraction gained traction in the 1970s, and construction of new track along the old grade began in 1973 with track and ties donated by
820-470: The Georgetown Loop today. Operations and public relations under HRA have improved greatly, including the return of three operational steam engines and increased reliability and ridership. 39°41′42″N 105°43′27″W / 39.694999°N 105.724124°W / 39.694999; -105.724124 Georgetown, Colorado Georgetown is the territorial charter municipality that
861-480: The Miners Sampling Works. Later, he was superintendent of the American Sisters Mine, a company in which he owned stock. American Sisters Mine was a consolidation of Two Sisters Mine and Native American Mine, silver mines located on Columbia Mountain in upper Clear Creek County, Colorado. In 1891–1892, John Bowman and his wife, Lavinia Potts Bowman (1848–1901) built what later became known as
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#1732786669553902-620: The Union Pacific Railroad. A new high bridge was also built to the same specifications as the original. Modern development had cut off the route to the old depot in downtown Georgetown, so the new track terminated just below the Loop at Devil's Gate (about 3/4 miles southwest of the city). The 3-mile (4.8 km) restored segment, opened on March 10, 1984, is at the upper end of the historic Colorado Central main line up Clear Creek Canyon west of Golden . The Georgetown Loop Railroad climbs approximately 640 feet (195 m) between
943-528: The central position of the town. Although most of the railroad was later removed, a portion remained between the town and Silver Plume and is operated today as a tourist railroad called the Georgetown Loop . The town experienced its greatest growth and prosperity during the Colorado silver boom of the 1880s when it rivaled Leadville to the west as the mining capital of Colorado. At one time, before
984-477: The collapse of the silver boom in 1893, the town population exceeded 10,000, and a movement arose briefly among local citizens to move the state capital there from Denver. The frontier gambler, Poker Alice , lived for a time in Georgetown and in several other Colorado communities where she was considered an expert player and dealer. Following the collapse of the Silver Boom, the town population dwindled. In
1025-551: The massive Devil's Gate High Bridge. The Georgetown, Breckenridge, and Leadville Railroad had been formed in 1881 under the Union Pacific Railroad . The Loop portion of the line was the crowning segment of the line, crossing the top of the gorge on a 95-foot (29 m) high trestle. Originally part of the larger line of the Colorado Central Railroad constructed in the 1870s and 1880s, in
1066-517: The mine. The Loop operated continuously for 30 years from its rebuilding date until 2004, when contract negotiations between the Colorado Historical Society and the Loop's operator — Georgetown Loop Railroad, Inc. — broke down. GLR rejected new contract demands and CHS began seeking out new bids, eventually rewarding Railstar, Inc. with a 10-year management contract. GLR owned all original equipment in use and relocated it all to
1107-678: The present day site of the Alpine Inn) and decided to settle in the area for the rest of the summer and fall. The Griffith Mining District incorporated in June 1860. Soon after the formation of the Griffith Mining District, several early residents joined to form the "Georgetown Company," claiming 640 acres for a town site. The town site would be overseen by the Girffith Mining District. The commercial district
1148-739: The southern (upper) end and modern development located at the northern (lower) end of town. Georgetown is now a part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor . The area was first settled in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush . George and David Griffith were members of a mining party which decided to separate from the others in the Central City and Idaho Springs areas. They found gold in Clear Creek (near
1189-418: The state of the railroad. A particular incident that helped shape the unfavorable perception of the Railstar operation occurred in 2006, when an attempt was made to restore Colorado and Southern Railway steam locomotive #9 to operation on the Loop. The restoration was successful, but Railstar managed the operation of the small locomotive so poorly (mainly by forcing it to pull longer and heavier trains than it
1230-452: The state's pioneering narrow-gauge mountain railroads. The museum building is a replica of an 1880s-style railroad depot . Exhibits feature original photographs by pioneer photographers such as William Henry Jackson and Louis Charles McClure, as well as paintings by Howard L Fogg , Otto Kuhler , Ted Rose and other artists. Locomotives and railroad cars modeled in the one inch scale by Herb Votaw are also displayed. A bay window contains
1271-498: The summit of Mount McClellan. Prior to 1916, the Argentine Central also served several large silver mines on the east side of Argentine Pass . The line was dismantled in 1939, but was restored in the 1980s to operate during summer months as a tourist railroad, carrying passengers using historic 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow gauge steam locomotives. In 1959, the centennial year of the discovery of gold in Georgetown,
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1312-475: The town a popular summer tourist destination where visitors could relive the experience of walking among structures from the mining boom. Furthermore, as the front range ski areas grow in popularity, the town makes for a good midway-stop for the returning skiers coming through I-70. More winter sports traffic comes from the nearby Otter Mountain , and in the winter the towns hotels house many skiers. The made-for-TV movie The Christmas Gift , starring John Denver ,
1353-399: The town was 95.96% White , 0.18% African American , 0.74% Native American , 0.28% Asian , 0.18% Pacific Islander , 1.10% from other races , and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.41% of the population. There were 503 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 8.3% had
1394-545: The town was a historic center of the mining industry in Colorado during the late 19th century, earning the nickname the "Silver Queen of Colorado". It has evolved into a lively historical summer tourist center today with many preserved structures from the heyday of the Colorado Silver Boom . The town stretches roughly north–south along Clear Creek, hemmed in by the mountains, with the historic downtown located at
1435-536: The two towns using 3 miles of track. Passengers can board the train at depots located in Silver Plume and Devils Gate. The train ride includes an optional walking tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine , located at the halfway point on the railroad, where visitors can walk 500 feet (150 m) into a mine tunnel bored in the 1870s, with guides pointing out once-rich veins of silver and relating the history of
1476-583: The wake of the Colorado Gold Rush , this line was also used extensively during the silver boom of the 1880s to haul silver ore from the mines at Silver Plume. In 1893, the Colorado and Southern Railway took over the line and operated it for passengers and freight until 1938. Between 1906 and 1918, the Georgetown Loop connected with the Argentine Central Railway in Silver Plume, by which tourists could continue onward to
1517-408: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 42,969, and the median income for a family was $ 53,333. Males had a median income of $ 35,952 versus $ 28,068 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 25,180. About 3.4% of families and 6.2% of the population were below
1558-531: Was President of the Georgetown school board. The Bowman-White House still remains, and is registered as a historical site in Georgetown, Colorado. In the fall of 1867 discussions began about the formation of a town. On January 28, 1868, the Territorial Legislature passed a law incorporating the Town of Georgetown. A few months later it wrested the county seat from nearby Idaho Springs , which
1599-463: Was designed for) that they severely damaged the locomotive and rendered it inoperable after less than one summer season. This resulted in #9 being sent back to static display. In 2009, the Colorado Historical Society decided to terminate the contract with Railstar and award the remaining time to a new operator, run by a local Georgetown businessman. He founded a new company to handle the operations called Historic Rail Adventures LLC, which still operates
1640-600: Was filmed in Georgetown in 1986. The film is about a widower and his daughter who go to Georgetown for vacation and business and find the true meaning of Christmas. Other movies filmed at least partly in Georgetown include the made-for-TV movies "Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo, and "Perry Mason: The Case of the Skin Deep Scandal"; and the feature film " Switchback " with Danny Glover and Dennis Quaid ; and at least one scene from " The Duchess and
1681-542: Was tagged "Main Street," a name which would continue into the 20th century. The center of the nascent town was roughly in the area of the I-70 interchange, close to the present-day Rutherford stables. Silver, the main product from the district, was not discovered until 1864. John Henry Bowman (1850–1900) came to Silver Plume, Colorado, in 1883, then moved to Georgetown, Colorado, in 1885. A machinist, he worked as foreman of