| The history of Colorado is steep in the exploration and discovery of minerals. From the time of the Spanish Conquistadors to the present, Colorado's mountain regions have been the home of mining adventures. The development of much of Colorado is attributed to the mining industry. Fantasies of the cowboys and Indians is not the true history of this state. Ranches, railroads, and mining town business adventures all came into existence to provide the logistics to support a growi ng mining industry. | 
Photograph: 1605, Quartz, Creede, Colorado; Don Behnke, Photographer; Mineralogical Record 04-26-92; Chris Christensen, Collector |
| Locally, the riches of the nearby mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor were supported by the railroads, smelters, and merchants of Colorado City. | 
Photograph: 1610, Fluorite, Ajax Mine, Cripple Creek, Colorado; Dan Behnke, Photographer; Mineralogical Record 04-26-92; Chris Christensen, Collector |
| Today, mining continues in the vicinity of Colorado Springs due to the efforts of gold seekers in Cripple Creek. For those whose interest in minerals is purely scientific, educational, and recreational, there is an abundance of opportunities to collect minerals and fossils in the Pikes Peak Region. The Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society formed in 1936 to promote and disseminate knowledge of the earth sciences, especially as they relate to mineralogy, lapidary, and fossils. This non-profit Society meets monthly on the first Friday at Otis Park on the corner of Dale and Iowa Streets at 7:30 p.m. The Society sponsors an annual Pikes Peak Gem & Mineral Show in July. | 
Photograph: 1625, Chlorite, Quartz, Creede, Colorado; Dan Behnke, Photographer; Mineralogical Record 04-26-92; Chris Christensen, Collector |
| For further information about the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, you may write to P.O. Box 2, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901 or send an e-mail to: "popeurb@aol.com". | 
Photograph: 1600, Galena, Sphalerite, Creede, Colorado; Dan Behnke, Photographer; Mineralogical Record 04-26-92; Chris Christensen, Collector |
| Home | Go Back | Feedback |