Psst… Experience Pioneer Life At These Colorado Places

Experience the life of Colorado’s early settlers by visiting one of these places and enjoy unique experiences that will transform you into a real pioneer!

Experience Pioneer Life At These Colorado Places

Four Mile Historic Park

Four Mile Historic Park sits on 12 acres that include the Four Mile House, which was built in 1859 as a homestead. The Museum then interprets the western rural heritage and environment of Colorado with surrounding buildings such as an old school house, a farm, teepees, barns, a blacksmith shop, a root cellar, a miner’s and trapper’s cabin, a windmill and live animals.

Things to do at Four Mile Historic Park:

• Take a guided tour of the Four Mile House Museum.
• Try your hand at gold-panning.
• Explore the park with Family Activity Packs.
• Step inside the historic reproduction buildings & barns, the Native American Tipi, and Miner & Trapper area.
• Pack a picnic and come in your favorite pioneer outfit.
• Go on a horse-drawn wagon ride.

Wild West Ghost Town Museum

Wild West Ghost Town Museum was created in 1954 to preserve a piece of Colorado’s Wild West heritage. The museum offers an authentic western experience and features buildings that were salvaged from all over the Pikes Peak region and have been preserved indoors for generations to come. The Museum also features thousands of authentic old west artifacts displayed just as they would’ve been seen 100 years ago.

Things to do at Wild West Ghost Town Museum:

• Pan for gold and learn how to pan like they did on the Colorado frontier.
• Crank a butter churn.
• Play antique arcade games.
• Try your hand at the shooting gallery.

Psst… Wild West Ghost Town Museum was also featured in our ‘12 Best Undiscovered Colorado Museums to Visit‘ guide!

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is located in the former El Paso County Courthouse, dating back to 1903. The Museum portrays the history and culture of the Pikes Peak Region with exhibits, tours and events, that emphasize the unique character of the Front Range Community.

Things to do at Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum:

•  Join Mascot, “Max the Marmot” to discover how, why and when people came to live in the Pikes Peak Region over time.
• Open a letter from A – Z and learn about the people, places and events that make the region unique.
• View examples of American Indian beadwork, clothing, baskets, and other materials representing over 30 nations.
• Shop for historical books, gifts, photographs, jewelry and more at the Museum Store.

Pioneer Town Museum

Pioneer Town in Cedaredge, Colorado, allows visitors to travel back more than 100 years in time. Pioneer Town features 24 buildings with displays on nearly 5 acres, most of which are actual artifacts from the era, represented from the historical period of the late 1800’s through the early and mid 1900’s.

Things to do at Pioneer Town:

• Ring the bell atop the Sand Creek Schoolhouse.
• Stroll down the wooden boardwalks of old Main Street, and stop in the well-stocked Coalby Store, where pioneers picked up supplies, mail and the latest town news.
• Visit the Charles States Museum and see a variety of displays such as a doctor’s office, a newspaper print shop, the largest dinosaur footprints ever found, and more.
• Keep an eye out for the sheriff, and don’t get into trouble or you might end up in the original, unheated 1906 jail.
• Step into the Lizard Head Saloon and belly up to the bar.
• Picture the Indians sharpening the points of arrowheads that now comprise one of the most extensive collections in the West at the Sutherland Indian Museum.

Gunnison Pioneer Museum

Gunnison Pioneer Museum preserves the history of the pioneers of Gunnison County. The Museums sits on five acres and features 18 buildings, an antique car museum, the Denver & Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Train, and more. The Museum also displays artifacts and memorabilia that date back to the early settlers.

Things to do at Gunnison Pioneer Town:

• View the genuine 25 antique car collection, all completely restored.
• Envision how children played with early settlers’ dolls and toys.
• See exhibits of clothing, hats and shoes.
• Witness the first post office in Gunnison County dating back to 1871.
• Step inside the early settlers’ first school houses and play “school”.
• View the Denver & Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Train.