Becoming the industrial working man's town on the one hand and offering the best "watering holes" and night life on the other hand, Colorado City reached its apex of uniqueness and vitality at the turn of the Century.

This section offers a complete view of the historical events that occurred, the individuals present, and the stories that arose during this time period. So, sit back and enjoy the history of the Pike's Peak region from 1891 to 1917.

The OCCHS has many audio recorded interviews of "old timers" from Old Colorado City. Here are a few audio clips about people and events that occurred during this era.

• The Dalton Gang. J. T. Riley recalls receiving some good advice from a famous bank robber when Mr. Riley was a young boy in the 1910s. Becky Hughes interviewed Mr. Riley on October 4, 1977. (1 1/2 minutes)

• Firefighting. J. T. Riley became a fireman in 1917 and remembers the horse-drawn fire pumpers, as well as other aspects of firefighting. Becky Hughes interviewed Mr. Riley on October 6, 1977. (2 minutes)

• "Herd Boy". Martin W. Drake, born in Colorado City in 1899, recalls the daily routine of the local "herd boy" in the early 1900s. Kevin Shields interviewed Mr. Drake on September 14, 1977. (30 seconds)

• Midland Band and Midland Railroad. Luther McKnight reminisces about the Midland Band and Midland Railroad in Colorado City, circa 1910. Dave Hughes and Becky Hughes interviewed Mr. McKnight in 1978. (2 minutes)

• Movie Theatres. John McGrady fondly remembers going to the movies as a young boy in the 1910s and 1920s. Kevin Shields interviewed Mr. McGrady on September 22, 1977. (2 minutes)

• Ramona. Martin W. Drake talks about the establishment of the town of Ramona in 1913 by saloon owners as a result of Colorado City residents voting to go "dry" on April 4, 1911. Kevin Shields interviewed Mr. Drake on September 14, 1977. (1 1/2 minutes)

• Red Light District. Louis Unser, a patron uncle of the racing Unser Clan who began their racing career in Colorado City, reminisces about Laura Belle, the queen of Colorado City's red light district, circa 1915. Becky Hughes interviewed Mr. Unser in 1978. (3 minutes)

• Street Cars. John McGrady used to ride the street cars as a young boy in the 1910s and 1920s. Mr. McGrady reminisces about the street cars, the design of the cars, where the tracks ran, and the cost to ride the cars. Kevin Shields interviewed Mr. McGrady on September 22, 1977. (4 minutes)

• Women's Christian Temperance Union--WCTU. Jane W. Summers tells about her grandmother's involvement in the WCTU in the 1910s and then how the WCTU "blackballed" her grandmother for keeping liquor in the house for medicinal purposes. Kevin Shields interviewed Mrs. Summers on September 15, 1977. (1 minute)