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South Park City Museum: A Journey into Colorado's Mining Past

Experience life in a 19th-century Colorado mining town at South Park City Museum, featuring authentic buildings and thousands of artifacts.

4.8

Step back in time at South Park City Museum, a meticulously recreated 19th-century mining town in Fairplay, Colorado. Explore over 40 authentic buildings filled with 60,000+ artifacts, showcasing the rugged life of the Gold Rush era. It's an immersive experience for history buffs and families alike.

A brief summary to South Park City Museum

Local tips

  • Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours to fully explore the museum's 44 buildings and exhibits.
  • Check the museum's calendar for Living History Days for a more interactive experience.
  • Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the museum grounds.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    South Park City Museum is located at the west end of Front Street in Fairplay. If you are already in the downtown area, it is easily accessible by foot. From the intersection of US-285 and CO-9 in Fairplay, head west on Front Street. The museum will be on your left. Walking time from most points in downtown Fairplay is under 15 minutes.

  • Driving

    If driving from outside of Fairplay, take US-285 to Fairplay. Turn west onto Front Street. The museum will be on your left. Parking is available near the museum. Limited parking is available, especially during peak season. Parking costs vary. Check for signage in the area for current rates.

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Discover more about South Park City Museum

South Park City Museum, nestled in Fairplay, Colorado, offers a unique glimpse into the state's rich mining history. This open-air museum is a reconstruction of a mining town from the Colorado Gold Rush and Silver Boom eras (late 1850s-1880s). Founded in 1959, the museum was created to preserve the rapidly disappearing heritage of Park County's ghost towns. The museum features over 40 authentic buildings relocated from various mining camps and ghost towns in South Park. These buildings, filled with over 60,000 artifacts, depict the economic and social aspects of life in a 19th-century Colorado mining town. Visitors can explore various establishments, including a saloon, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, brewery, and even an assay office. Two notable buildings, the South Park Brewery and the Summer Saloon, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. South Park City Museum offers an immersive experience, allowing visitors to walk through the unpaved streets and boardwalks of a bygone era. The museum also hosts special events like Living History Days, where volunteers in period costumes reenact the lives of 19th-century townspeople. The museum is open daily from mid-May to mid-October.

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