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Walking Tours
Explore the history of Breckenridge with a self-guided or guided walking tour!
The Breckenridge Historic District is an excellent representation of commercial, residential, and religious structures of the gold mining era with 249 structures. These facades include architectural examples of Victorian-era mining town; new construction also reflects the historic character of Breckenridge. The setting within the Ten Mile Range of the Rocky Mountains provides a beautiful background for Breckenridge’s historical district.
Two printed guides contain information about many of the historic structures in the Victorian era downtown and the adjacent residential area. These guides of the Breckenridge Historic District have been produced by the Town of Breckenridge and are available at the Community Development Department in Town Hall, the Activity Center (on the Blue River Plaza), and the Gaymon Cabin Information Center on Main Street. The guides enable visitors to learn about the district and the structures, while enjoying a walk through the district at your leisure.
The Summit Historical Society offers tours in the Breckenridge area, including the historic district, several museums and gold mining sites. For tour schedules, admission fees and locations, contact the Summit Historical Society at (970) 453-9022. Contact the Summit Historical Society for maps and guided tours or take any of these self-guided walking tours:
Bakers Tank is located on Boreas Pass Road in the mountains just east of Breckenridge. From Blue River Plaza in the center of Breckenridge, proceed south on Main Street (toward Hoosier Pass and Fairplay) approximately 1/2 miles to the stoplight at Boreas Pass Road. Conoco is on your right. Turn left and proceed 6.6 miles to Bakers Tank on the left.
The Barney Ford House Barney & Julia Ford were runaways slaves who lived in Breckenridge in the 1880's. Barney was a successful individual who owned restaurants, hotels and staked a mining claim here in Breckenridge which was stolen out from under him by his White lawyer. Barney rebounded and went on to gain fortune at the Denver Hotel and Ford's Chop House. His whole life he pioneered for the Black cause and even had a livery stable that doubled as an Underground Railroad station. For more on Barney Ford. The Barney Ford House is located directly across Main Street from the Blue River Plaza to the East in Breckenridge. The address is 111 East Washington St. Proceed up Washington Street East for one-half block and the entrance will be on your right.
The Boreas Pass Summit is located about nine miles to the east between Breckenridge and Como in South Park on the Boreas Pass Road. From the center of Breckenridge, head south on Main Street (toward Hoosier Pass and Fairplay) to the stoplight at Boreas Pass Road. A Conoco gas station is on the right (west) side of the road. Turn left at the light and proceed 3 to 4 miles on paved road and an additional 4 to 5 miles on a narrow dirt road (the road is in excellent condition and can easily and safely be driven with a standard car). The Section House and several other buildings are clearly visible on the left (north) side of the road at the top of the pass. In Summer, you can drive all the way over the pass, about 8 more miles, through Como, then Fairplay and back to Breckenridge.
Briggle House In the late 1880's, Breckenridge was a Victorian town where couples liked to socialize in each other's homes. One of the nicest homes was owned by William and Kathleen Briggle, they bought a one-room log cabin and enlarged it by six rooms. Concerts and high tea are still held inside the Briggle House located at 104 North Harris Street, Breckenridge, near the intersection of Lincoln and Harris. From Blue River Plaza in the center of Breckenridge, proceed north on Main Street (toward Frisco) for one block to the stoplight at Main and Lincoln. Turn right (east) and proceed three blocks to Harris. Briggle House is located in Milne Park on the northeast corner of the intersection and is the largest and northern-most of three houses in the Park.
The Bucyrus Dredge is located on Tiger Road between Breckenridge and Frisco. From Breckenridge, proceed north on Highway 9 toward Frisco about 4 miles to Tiger Road. Turn right (east) off Highway 9 at Tiger Road. Follow the road for 2.7 miles to the dredge parking lot on the left. The short path on the right from the parking lot leads to an observation point; the short path on the left goes past the mechanical miners sign. The dredge is easily visible from both paths and from the parking lot.
Colorado Mountain College is located at 103 South Harris Street, near the intersection of Lincoln and Harris. Head north on Main Street (toward Frisco) to the stoplight at Main and Lincoln. Turn right (east) and proceed three blocks to Harris. Turn right (south) onto Harris. The college is on your right and is a large brick building.
The Country Boy Mine is located near Breckenridge in French Gulch to the east of the town. From Main Street proceed north (toward Frisco); turn right (east) onto Wellington Road toward French Gulch and follow the road for about one mile to the intersection with Reiling Road. At the intersection, bear right onto a wide dirt/gravel road for about one mile. The Country Boy is clearly visible on the right side of the road and is well marked with a sign. Turn right onto a short dirt driveway to the mine.
Eberlein House Built between 1876 and 1877, this house is one of Breckenridge's earliest homes owned by Summit County's first documented family. The Marksbury-Eberlein Family moved from Montezuma (near Keystone) to Breckenridge because William Eberlein was elected county assessor. The flooring and what is left of the wallpaper in the house is original; the tiny size of the house is what visitors find most memorable. Located at 102 North Harris Street, near the intersection of Lincoln and Harris. Head north on Main Street (toward Frisco) to the stoplight at Main and Lincoln. Turn right (east) and proceed three blocks to Harris. Eberlein House is located in Milne Park on the northeast corner of the intersection and is the smallest and southern-most of three houses in the Park.
Edwin Carter Museum Edwin Carter was a Breckenridge local in the late 1800's and was a naturalist who spent his life collecting and preserving wildlife samples native to this area. When Carter passed away from arsenic poisoning from the chemicals used for taxidermy purposes he donated his entire animal collection to the City of Denver. His gift was the foundation of the Denver Museum of Natural History and many pieces can still be seen in Breckenridge at the Edwin Carter Museum located at 111 S. Ridge Street, one block East of Main Street.
Father Dyer's Cabin Father John L. Dyer, the "Snowshoe Itinerant Preacher" founded his Methodist church Breckenridge and spent his winters on wooden skis as a traveling preacher. The church he founded still holds services and is located at 310 Wellington, near the intersection of Wellington and French Street. Head north on Main Street (toward Frisco) for to Wellington Road. Turn right (east) and proceed two blocks to French. Father Dyer's Cabin is located on the left side of the street beside the Methodist Church.
The Iowa Hill Boardinghouse Built in 1876 to house miners, this 2-story log boardinghouse had many windows, was sparsely decorated and had two doors and a tin roof. From Breckenridge, head north on Highway 9 (toward Frisco) to Valley Brook Road. Go left (west) on Valley Brook to Airport Road, turn right (north) onto Airport Road and then, at the Iowa Hill Trail sign, turn left (west) onto a gravel road. Drive a very short distance on the gravel road and park at the entrance to the Iowa Hill Trail where the hike to the boardinghouse begins. The trail divides after a short distance. The right fork is the more direct but steep route. If you take the left fork, which meanders, stay right at the next fork.
Iowa Hill Hydraulic Mining Site The park is located off Airport Road on the north end of Town. Visitors may park at the trailhead, which is just north of the Breckenridge Public Works facilities, and follow the signs through the park. A self-guided walking tour provides visitors with the opportunity to view the remnants of a historic hydraulic mining operation. Hydraulic mining was introduced to Breckenridge in the early 1860's as a method to extract the rich gold from the nearby gulches. The park contains many remnants of the operation as well as a miner's boardinghouse. In 2004, the Town installed interpretive signs throughout the park to guide visitors on a hike through the site. The hike is approximately one mile in length and is moderate in difficulty. The park is open from approximately mid-May through mid-November depending on snow pack. For additional information contact the Summit Historical Society at 453-9022 or the Town of Breckenridge at 970 547-3112.
The Lomax Mine is located at 301 Ski Hill Road. From the center of Breckenridge, go north (toward Frisco) on Main Street one block to the stop light at Ski Hill Road/Lincoln Ave. Turn west (toward the mountains) onto Ski Hill Road. . Proceed past the stoplight at Park Ave. and drive about 1/4 mile uphill to a Lomax Mine sign on the left and a driveway into the mine parking lot. Turn left into the parking lot. Please contact The Summit Historical Society for guided tours.
Milne House This home, built in the 1880's, has thick log walls covered with newspapers, canvas, flattened cans and more to insulate the house from the winter cold. The wood cook stove is original to the house along with a murphy bed and sewing machines. Alice Milne, widowed at a young age, lived at this house longer than anyone and raised her daughter Eleanor here. Located at 102 North Harris Street, Breckenridge, near the intersection of Lincoln and Harris. From Blue River Plaza in the center of Breckenridge, proceed north on Main Street (toward Frisco) for one block to the stoplight at Main and Lincoln. Turn right (east) and proceed three blocks to Harris. Milne House is located in Milne Park on the northeast corner of the intersection and is the middle of three houses in the Park.
The Gaymon Cabin was built in 1914 and is typical in the style from 1910 to 1930 with wood-paneled ceilings, a large river rock fireplace, exposed beams and electric wiring. Located at 309 North Main Street, Breckenridge, it now serves as the Visitor Information Center.
The Red, White, and Blue Firehouse Museum is house in a 2-story building circa 1877 which still has two original stained-glass windows, newspaper wall coverings that were typical of the era, and many firehouse related relics from the 1880's. Restored in 1992, this interesting museum is located at 308 North Main Street, across the street from the Breckenridge Information Cabin (listed above).
The Rotary Snowplow Park Rotary snowplows were huge machines used to clear the narrow-gauge railroad tracks and threw snow as high as 30 feet. The Rotary Snowplow located in the Park is not the original one used by the Colorado & Southern Railway but is one of only five known narrow-gauge rotaries in existence. There are interpretive signs and a historic cabin with videos and exhibits for more information. Located near the intersection of Main Street and Boreas Pass Road. Proceed south on Main Street (toward Hoosier Pass and Fairplay) approximately one-half mile to the stoplight at Boreas Pass Road. A Conoco gas station is on the right (west) side of the road. Turn left onto Boreas Pass Road and make an immediate right turn into the Rotary Plow Park parking lot.
The Sallie Barber Mine is an example of a small but long-time producer of zine, from 1880 to 1911 and during World War I. The mine was abandoned after the war. Located near in the mountains east of town. From Blue River Plaza on Main Street proceed north (toward Frisco) two blocks; turn right (east) onto Wellington Road toward French Gulch and follow the road to a three-way intersection. At the junction, turn right onto a wide dirt/gravel road. Wind along the left side of French Gulch, passing the Wellington Mine on the left at about 2.6 miles and then the remains of Lincoln Townsite at 4.1 miles. The road narrows, passing a fork to Humbug Hill on the left. Just beyond this spur, take a road that forks right and drops to a stream. Climb for about a mile to the high point and Sallie Barber Mine. The mine's headframe and other mine equipment are clearly visible on the right side of the road.
The Summit County Courthouse is located at 208 Lincoln Ave., Breckenridge, between Ridge and French Streets. From Blue River Plaza in the center of Breckenridge, proceed north on Main Street (toward Frisco) for one block to the stoplight at Main and Lincoln. Turn right (east) and proceed one block to Ridge. The Courthouse is located on the left side of the street.
"Sylvia" Add a ghostly touch to your tour and look for Sylvia, a miner's widow living in Breckenridge in the 1860's. She lived in a women's boarding house on Main Street, where The Prospector Restaurant is now, and as legend goes she still occupies the building. Located at 130 S Main Street, you can look for Sylvia today--though it is suggested that she only reveals herself to men, still hoping to find a mate.
The Valley Brook Cemetery is located near the intersection of Airport Road and Valley Brook Road on the north side of Breckenridge. From Blue River Plaza in the center of Breckenridge, proceed north on Main Street (toward Frisco) for one block to the stoplight at Main and Lincoln. Turn left (west) and proceed one block to Park Ave. Turn right onto Park Ave. and proceed approximately one-half mile to Airport road. Turn left onto Airport Road and proceed north approximately one-half mile past the Library and Breckenridge Rec Center to Valley Brook Road. The cemetery is on the left-hand side of the road.
For more about the history of Breckenridge.