Lake City, Colorado facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake City, Colorado
Statutory Town
Baptist Church in Lake City, Colorado.
Location in Hinsdale County and the state of Colorado
Country	United States
State	Colorado
County	Hinsdale County Seat
Incorporated (town)	September 19, 1884
Government
• Type	Statutory Town
Area
• Total	0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
• Land	0.83 sq mi (2.14 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	8,672 ft (2,643 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	432
• Density	514/sq mi (199.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	81235
Area code(s)	970
FIPS code	08-42330
GNIS feature ID	2412863

Lake City is a small town in Colorado, United States. It is the main town and county seat of Hinsdale County. In 2020, about 432 people lived there.

The town is nestled in the San Juan Mountains. It sits in a valley where Henson Creek meets the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Lake City got its name from nearby Lake San Cristobal. The town was officially started in 1873 after valuable minerals were found in the area.

Discovering Lake City's Past

Lake City has a rich history, especially linked to mining and the arrival of the railroad. It started as a busy supply center for miners. Later, it became a popular spot for tourists.

Early Days and Mining Boom

Before settlers arrived, the Ute people lived in the San Juan Mountains. They hunted and fished in the high valleys during summer. Even though the land was theirs by treaty, people started looking for minerals in the 1860s.

When silver was found near Lake City, the Ute people had to give up their land in 1873. That same year, Lake City was officially formed. It was a place where miners and prospectors could get supplies.

The town was planned out in 1874. Its location was chosen because it was flat and had plenty of water. To help the town grow, a newspaper called The Silver World started in 1875. It was the first newspaper in Western Colorado.

Lake City quickly grew into a "boom town." It was called the "Metropolis of San Juan." Thousands of people moved there, including merchants, lawyers, and assayers (people who test minerals). But by 1879, the mining boom slowed down. This was because the mines weren't as rich as hoped, and it was hard to transport things year-round.

A big fire destroyed many wooden buildings in 1879. But the town was rebuilt using brick and stone. Many of these strong buildings are still standing today. Local materials like lumber, stone, and bricks were used.

The Railroad Arrives

In 1889, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad reached Lake City. This was a huge change for the town. The railroad made it much cheaper to ship gold and silver from the mines. It also lowered the cost of bringing supplies into Lake City.

The train line was 36 miles long and had 10 bridges. One bridge, called the "High Bridge," was 800 feet long and 113 feet high! The train traveled at about 12 miles per hour.

The railroad also helped the ranching industry. It made it easier to ship cattle and sheep for summer grazing. Plus, it connected Lake City to the rest of the state, bringing in more visitors and tourists.

The Golden Fleece Mine Story

In 1874, a man named Enos T. Hotchkiss found a promising mine five miles south of Lake City. This became the Golden Fleece Mine. Early tests showed it had valuable gold and telluride ore.

However, Hotchkiss was injured in 1876, and work stopped. The mine was later sold. In 1892, new owners found a very rich vein of gold. By 1904, the mine had produced $1,400,000 worth of silver and gold. You can still see the ruins of the mine buildings today.

A Famous Historical Event

In 1875, Lake City became known for a famous historical event involving a man named Alferd Packer. He was a guide for a group of five men exploring the San Juan Mountains. They got stuck in the snow during winter.

When Packer came out of the mountains in the spring, the other men were gone. People became suspicious because he looked healthy and asked for whiskey first. Packer was later arrested and tried in Lake City. He was found responsible for the disappearance of one of the men.

This story became very well known. Today, Lake City remembers this event with an annual Alferd Packer Jeep Tour and Barbecue. There's even a grill named after him at the University of Colorado, Boulder!

End of the Mining Era

By 1905, the main mining era in Lake City was over. The town's population dropped from about 1,000 to 400 after 1910. Mining continued, but it was mostly exploration, not large-scale production.

However, a new industry began to grow: tourism. Starting around 1915, visitors came to Lake City for the summer. By the 1930s, tourism was a major part of the town's economy.

Lake City's Tourism and Historic Charm

Lake City's beautiful scenery and old buildings make it a special place. The town has worked hard to preserve its history and attract visitors.

Growing as a Tourist Destination

In the early 1900s, Lake City's economy changed from mining to tourism. People always knew the area was beautiful, but it was hard to get to. The railroad helped, and then cars made it even easier.

By the 1920s, people started arriving by car. Early tourists stayed in the old mining hotels. New places for visitors, like tourist courts, opened in the 1930s and beyond.

Lake City offers many outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, mountain climbing, horseback riding, and hiking. The town's businesses helped visitors with supplies and services. For example, some places would cook your fish or pack picnic lunches.

The area is also popular for "peakbaggers" who want to climb Colorado's highest mountains. Five of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks are near Lake City: Sunshine, Redcloud, Handies, Wetterhorn, and Uncompahgre.

Preserving Lake City's History

Baptist Church in Lake City, Colorado

Because Lake City's economy slowed down for many years, many of its old buildings were saved. They weren't torn down or changed much, unlike in other towns.

In 1973, the Hinsdale County Historical Society was formed. They started collecting old documents and photos of the town. In 1978, the Lake City Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means the area is recognized for its important history.

Many people have worked to restore the old buildings. Sometimes it was simple, like removing old paint. Other times, it was a big project, like restoring the Baptist church. These restoration projects have helped the local economy by creating jobs for carpenters and craftsmen. They also make Lake City a wonderful place for tourists to visit and learn about the past.

Lake City's Population Over Time

The population of Lake City has changed a lot over the years. It boomed during the mining days, then declined, and has slowly grown again with tourism.

Geography and Weather in Lake City

North Clear Creek Falls Observation Site Overlook, Rio Grande National Forest

Lake City covers about 0.9 square miles, with most of it being land. It's known for its beautiful mountain setting.

What is Lake City's Climate Like?

Lake City has a continental climate. This means it has warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The wettest month is usually August, and the driest is February.

Because of its high elevation, Lake City often has big temperature changes between day and night.

Notable People from Lake City

• Montana F. Smith, a state legislator from Colorado.

See also

In Spanish: Lake City (Colorado) para niños