Otto Mears: Pathfinder of the San Juans
When: 1840 – 1931 Where: Born in Russia and came to America at the age of…
Boom Years
Colorado’s population grew substantially after gaining statehood in 1876. The discovery of gold, silver, and other metals made mining an important part of the state’s economy, while Coloradans like Margaret “Molly” Brown and Horace and Augusta Tabor made a fortune from mining. Meanwhile, with more and more fortune-seekers making their way to Colorado, men like Charles Boettcher made their fortunes in business.
As more and more people came to Colorado, Emily Griffith and Mother Cabrini worked hard to give help poorer Coloradans attain a better life. Meanwhile, Mary Elitch Long, Anne Evans, and Mary Antoinette Perry Freuauff brought culture and entertainment to the young state, and Enos Mills worked to preserve the state’s natural wonders.
Molly Brown: Suffragist, Socialite and Adventurer
When: 1867-1932 Where: Born in Missouri, lived in Leadville and Denver Why Important: Maggie Brown traveled frequently,…
Casimiro Barela: Perpetual Senator
When: 1847 – 1920 Where: Moved from New Mexico to Trinidad, and then to Barela, Colorado…
Mary Hauck Elitch Long, Founder of Elitch’s Zoological Gardens
When: 1865 – 1936 Where: Born in Philadelphia, moved to California, then Durango, Colorado and finally…
Emily Griffith: Educator
When: 1868 – 1947 Where: Born in Cincinnati, moved to Denver in 1894 Why Important: She believed…
Ellis Meredith, Suffragist and Activist
When: 1865 – 1955 Where: Born in Montana, moved to Denver Why Important: Prominent journalist, suffragist,…
Sadie Likens: Denver’s First Police Matron
When: 1840 – 1920 Where: Born in Ohio, lived in Wisconsin, settled in Denver, Colorado. Why…
Mother Cabrini: The First American Saint
When: 1850-1917 Where: Golden, CO Why Important: The First American Saint Biography Francesca Saverio Cabrini was born…
Mary Rippon: Educator
When: 1850-1935 Where: Born in Illinois, she moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1878 Why Important: She was…
Mary Antoinette Perry-Frueauff: Actress and Humanitarian
When: 1888-1946 Where: Born and raised in Denver, CO Why Important: Actress and Humanitarian; The Tony Award…
Katharine Lee Bates: Songwriter
When: 1859 – 1929 Where: Lived briefly in Colorado Springs Why Important: Wrote “America the…
Isabella Bird: Adventurer and Travel Writer
When: 1831-1904 Where: Estes Park, CO Why Important: An avid adventurer and best-selling travel writer Biography Isabella…
Horace Tabor: The Silver King
When: 1830 – 1899 Where: Born in Holland, Vermont, moved to Kansas and then to Colorado…
Enos Mills: Father of Rocky Mountain National Park
When: 1870-1922 Where: Estes Park, CO Why Important: Responsible for the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park…
Elizabeth “Baby Doe” McCourt Tabor: Colorado’s Silver Queen
When: 1854 – 1935 Where: Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and moved to Colorado. Why Important: Baby Doe…
Charles Boettcher: Denver Businessman
When: 1852-1948 Where: Born in Germany and moved first to Wyoming, then to Denver Why Important: Important…
Augusta Tabor: Entrepreneur
When: 1833 – 1895 Where: Born in Maine, moved to Kansas, and then to Colorado Why…
Anne Evans: Supporter of the Arts
When: 1871-1941 Where: Denver and Evergreen, CO Why Important: Devoted her life to arts and culture in…
William “Buffalo Bill” Cody: Showman of the Wild West
When: 1846 – 1917 Where: Born in Iowa, traveled the western United States, and died in…
Minnie J. Reynolds Scalabrino: Activist
When: 1865 – 1936 Where: Born in New York, moved to Denver Why Important: Minnie was a…
John Kernan Mullen: Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
When: 1847-1929 Where: Denver, CO Why Important: J. K. Mullen was one of Colorado’s most successful entrepreneurs…