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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.

Boom Years

Caroline Nichols Churchill: Activist, Suffragist, Author

When: 1833-1926 Where: Born in Canada, but accomplished most of her work in Denver, Colorado…

Madison Basch, March 4, 2019
Boom Years

Otto Mears: Pathfinder of the San Juans

When: 1840 – 1931 Where: Born in Russia and came to America at the age of…

Colorado Virtual Library, November 6, 2018
Boom Years

Molly Brown: Suffragist, Socialite and Adventurer

When: 1867-1932 Where: Born in Missouri, lived in Leadville and Denver Why Important: Maggie Brown traveled frequently,…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Casimiro Barela: Perpetual Senator

When: 1847 – 1920 Where: Moved from New Mexico to Trinidad, and then to Barela, Colorado…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

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…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Emily Griffith: Educator

When: 1868 – 1947 Where: Born in Cincinnati, moved to Denver in 1894 Why Important: She believed…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Ellis Meredith, Suffragist and Activist

When: 1865 – 1955 Where: Born in Montana, moved to Denver Why Important: Prominent journalist, suffragist,…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Sadie Likens: Denver’s First Police Matron

When: 1840 – 1920 Where: Born in Ohio, lived in Wisconsin, settled in Denver, Colorado. Why…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Mother Cabrini: The First American Saint

When: 1850-1917 Where: Golden, CO Why Important: The First American Saint Biography Francesca Saverio Cabrini was born…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Mary Rippon: Educator

When: 1850-1935 Where: Born in Illinois, she moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1878 Why Important: She was…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

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…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Katharine Lee Bates: Songwriter

When: 1859 – 1929 Where: Lived briefly in Colorado Springs Why Important: Wrote “America the…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

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…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Horace Tabor: The Silver King

When: 1830 – 1899 Where: Born in Holland, Vermont, moved to Kansas and then to Colorado…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

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…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

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…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Charles Boettcher: Denver Businessman

When: 1852-1948 Where: Born in Germany and moved first to Wyoming, then to Denver Why Important: Important…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Augusta Tabor: Entrepreneur

When: 1833 – 1895 Where: Born in Maine, moved to Kansas, and then to Colorado Why…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

Anne Evans: Supporter of the Arts

When: 1871-1941 Where: Denver and Evergreen, CO Why Important: Devoted her life to arts and culture in…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
Boom Years

William “Buffalo Bill” Cody: Showman of the Wild West

When: 1846 – 1917 Where: Born in Iowa, traveled the western United States, and died in…

Colorado Virtual Library, July 13, 2015
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Digital Colorado Sections

  • Colorado Histories
    • Colorado’s Beginnings
    • Boom Years
    • 20th Century & Beyond
    • All Bios, Alphabetically
  • CVL Collections
  • Historic Newspapers
  • Plains to Peaks Collective

Related Sites

Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection

Contact

Leigh Jeremias
Digital Collections Coordinator
ljeremias@coloradovirtuallibrary.org

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