Meet Bob Womack. On first appearance he seems the typical turn-of-the-century cowboy, but this man made a discovery that changed history.
In October 1890, he discovered gold in Poverty Gulch (now Cripple Creek, Colorado), starting a rush that caught the attention of the world. The ore Womack dug from the earth sent the fever through thousands of souls and has created a National Park Service recognized National Historic District that draws tourists from around the world.
Historic mine shafts, headframes and cabins still dot the landscape here in the high country behind Pikes Peak. Today gold mining is still in full swing as the state's largest gold mine surface operation takes shape between Cripple Creek and Victor. Modern-day miners scoop ore-laden earth into gigantic trucks and haul it to the local gold processing plant, a far cry from the pioneer ways of Womack's time. Despite his rich discovery, Womack died impoverished. But the gold rush he started left a legacy that lives on today.
Are you ready to discover the wealth Cripple Creek has to offer? Visit our museums, trails, historic sites and casinos... discover the path of the gold rush adventure in Cripple Creek, The World's Greatest Gold Camp.