These 15 Photos Of Colorado From The Early 1900S Are Beyond Fascinating

As Coloradans, we are constantly complaining—err, discussing?—the state’s growth and how many people are moving here. While we notice stretches of road around us constantly transforming from farmland to duplexes and luxury shopping centers, some of the Centennial State’s biggest changes actually happened throughout the 20th-century, as demonstrated by these 15 photos of Colorado in the early 1900s that are beyond fascinating:

“Cowboy band with musical instruments and banners, pose in a street for probably a parade in Silverton (San Juan County), Colorado (c. 1900).”

History Colorado/81.718.1

“Gelatin silver print depicting an unidentified saloon in Denver, Colorado, circa 1890-1900. The saloon may be the one owned by Jim Ryan at 20th and Market Street, as the woman standing in front of the bar has been identified as Jim’s sister, Annie Ryan.”

History Colorado/82.188.2

“View of the Gold King Mill in Gladstone (San Juan County), Colorado. Shows multi-level processing facilities with dormer windows, smokestacks, cribbing, a Silverton, Gladstone, and Northerly Railroad freight engine, gable-roofed housing units and aerial tramway (c. 1900).”

History Colorado/82.197.3

“Swanson’s Rocky Mountain Scenery. Published at Central City, Colorado (c. 1890).”

History Colorado/83.323.1

“Photograph of a woodworking or carpentry class at an unidentified school in Denver, Colorado, circa 1890-1900.”

History Colorado/83.323.4

“A telegraph operator stands outside the Western Union Telegraph and Cable Office in Bowen, a Victor American Fuel Company town in Las Animas County, Colorado (c. 1910).”

History Colorado/84.193.6

“This stereograph of Denver, Colorado was captured by an unidentified photographer, circa 1880-1900 for the publishing company, Keystone View Company.”

History Colorado/84.192.1083

“Smoke rises from the coke ovens at Gray Creek, a Victor American Fuel Company coal camp in Las Animas County, Colorado (c. 1890).”

History Colorado/84.193.77

The old Trinidad Post Office, taken sometime between 1900 to 1910.

History Colorado/84.193.944

“View of Arapahoe Street in downtown Denver, Colorado. Pedestrians, streetcars, and a horse-drawn delivery wagons are in the street. Buildings include the United States Post Office (c. 1900).”

History Colorado/86.200.39

“Waterfront of Pavilion, City Park, Denver (1896).”

History Colorado/86.200.108

“View of Manitou Springs in El Paso County, Colorado (c. 1882).”

History Colorado/86.200.265

“Men pose on a log and plank bridge and stairway at a waterfall probably on South Cheyenne Creek in South Cheyenne Canyon in El Paso County, Colorado (c. 1882).”

History Colorado/86.200.247

“View of Harrison Avenue in Leadville, Colorado. Shows a number of buildings, including the Tabor Opera House and City Hall (c. 1882).”

History Colorado/86.200.402

“On the Road to Cripple Creek (c. 1880).”

History Colorado/86.200.513

For even more Centennial State history, click on 12 Things You Didn’t Know About The History Of Colorado.