Page Contents for Idaho Springs, Colorado

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Community news

Community events.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Colorado state capital is Denver.
The population of Idaho Springs is approximately 1,797 (2006), 1717 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 904 (2000), 828 (2010).
The amount of land area in Idaho Springs is 2.096 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Idaho Springs is 1.04 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Idaho Springs to Washington DC is 1617 miles.
The distance to the Colorado state capital is 36 miles. (as the crow flies)
Idaho Springs is positioned 39.74 degrees north of the equator and 105.51 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Idaho Springs elevation is 7524 feet above sea level.
Idaho Springs per capita income is $ 20,789 (2000).
Idaho Springs median income is $ 39,700 (2005).
The Idaho Springs median home price is $ 177,300 (2005).

Location

in central Colorado about 30 miles west of Denver and about 26 miles from Boulder. Other nearby communities include Central City, Black Hawk, Downieville, Lawson, Dumont, St Mary's, Empire, Georgetown, Evergreen and Coal Creek.
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Weather

moderate with all four seasons represented. Here is a current weather page for Idaho Springs.
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History & History Related Items

Some history about Idaho Springs. This history is also part of the Idaho Springs Motel website and gives much information about the area.

First called Spanish Bar, Idaho Springs was also known as Jackson's Diggins, Sacramento City and just plain Idahoe. Springs was added to Idaho in 1866. Idaho, Arapahoe word, Edauhoe, means Gem of the Mountains. Gold was first discovered on 5 January 1859 by George A. Jackson. He didn't let on about his find for a number of months, but the secret was out when he paid for some supplies with gold dust. His discovery of placer gold was shortly followed by the findings of gold veins in the mountains. These veins were producing gold long after the placer gold was played out. Though the gold was considerable in the mountains, the industry's dominance in the area was cut short when the government issued an order in 1941 that gold mining was a non-essential industry. The miners were then barred from purchasing needed supplies and equipment virtually ending the gold mining times here. Fortunately, the tourist industry was taking hold in the area to make up for the loss of the gold mines.

Historic Idaho Springs
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Attractions

Clear Creek County Tourism

The Steve Canyon Statue was commissioned by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Steve Canyon was a popular cartoon character from World War II. When the statue was unveiled on 8 July 1950, the cartoonist creator of Canyon, Milton Caniff, was in attendance.

The Idaho Springs Heritage Museum

The Underhill Museum - home of Dr. and Mrs. James Underhill
learn about life in the early 1900s

The Argo Tunnel and Mine
The tunnel was begun in 1893 and completed in 1910. It runs about five miles toward Central City ending about 1300 feet below the surface.. It was built by Sam Newhouse to move ore from the various gold mines and to help the other mines drain their tunnels. The Argo mill began in 1913 at the Idaho Springs end of the tunnel to reduce the cost of handling and transporting the ore. The mill was closed in 1943 after an explosion killed several miners. It was purchased by James N. Maxwell in 1976 to help preserve the history of mining in the area. It has operated as a museum and tourist attraction since that time.

Mount Evans Scenic Byway
The highest paved road in North America - 14,264 feet at the summit. See the website for detailed information about costs and hours of operation. Closed during a portion of the year.
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Idaho Springs City Government

City of Idaho Springs
P.O. Box 907
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Phone: 303-567-4421

Idaho Springs Historical Events

1984
The old Grass Valley School house was about to be destroyed. The city purchased the building and the school relocated. The building was renovated and now houses the city hall, the Idaho Springs Police Department and the Municipal Court.

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1863
Indian Hot Springs
Dr. E.M. Cummings bought the land created this attraction. It was an instant hit with over 5,000 people attending in just the first few years. Among the attendees were the Roosevelts, Frank and Jesse James and poet Walt Whitman.

Idaho Springs Chamber

Greater Idaho springs Chamber of Commerce
Visitor's Center phone: 303-567-4382

Idaho Springs Community News

The Clear Creek Courant
Your Community Connection

Idaho Springs Community Events

150th Gold Rush Anniversary
Where the Gold Rush Began

Idaho Springs Organizations

Greater Idaho springs Chamber of Commerce
Visitor's Center phone: 303-567-4382

Idaho Springs Libraries

Idaho Springs Public Library
219 14th Avenue
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Phone: 303-567-2020

Idaho Springs Schools

Clear Creek School District RE-1
320 Highway 103
P.O. Box 3399
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Phone: 303-567-3850 Idaho Springs

Miscellany

The population of Idaho Springs was:
1990 - 1,834
2000 - 1,889
2006 - 1,797

The number of housing units was:
1990 - 893
2000 - 904

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Median age:
2000 - 38.7 years

Median household income:
2000 - $ 39,643
2005 - $ 39,700

Median house value:
2000 - $ 151,900
2005 - $ 177,300

Idaho Springs is located in the Mountain Time Zone and does participate in daylight savings time during a portion of the year.