The Pikes Peak gold rush of 1859 drew hopeful miners and speculators. Their settlements at places like Lulu City, in what is now the northwest part of the park, were ephemeral.

From 1874-1883, there was mining on the west side of the park and Lulu City was established, with a population of 500. Of these 500 men, 200 were reported to be prospecting in Lulu City.  The city became a permanent establishment in 1881, and a toll road was built leading to the city. However, the mining stopped in 1883 when profits stopped, and by December, the city was left to decay. Of the many shops and cabins that settlers built in Lulu City, including a grocery, butcher shop, post office, and a saloon, the only visible structural remains are those of a log cabin.

Famed geologist and explorer Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden once noted: "The most successful prospectors are those who know comparatively little about minerals." A simple desire to get rich was more important. "Pluck, perseverance, and a pick are the three requisites to success," he cautiously added, "supplemented by pork and provender." Only later did he admit that considerable knowledge of geology and mineralogy might be helpful. Hayden helpfully listed the steps toward a successful discovery. First the prospector must find the "blossom" which indicates some trace or presence of mineral in the vicinity. Next, he "tries to find out where it comes from." If the blossom rock edges are sharp and defined indicating a recent fracture, then "he is satisfied the vein is near at hand." Finding that vein was the final step. Hayden advised men to hunt patiently, "often for a long time," concluding that they might be better off earning three dollars a day as a miner for a surer livelihood. This was the rise of the prospector.

Credits and Sources:

“Brief Park History.” National Park Service: Rocky Mountain, Colorado. Stories. Accessed May 31, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/historyculture/brief.htm

“Historic Mining Towns.” National Park Service: Continental Divide Research Learning Center. Management. Accessed May 31, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/management/upload/historic_mining_towns.pdf

“Rocky Mountain National Park: A History. Chapter 4: Dreams with Silver Lining.” National Park Service. Park History Program. Accessed May 31, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/romo/buchholtz/chap4.htm

“Timeline of Historic Events.” National Park Service: Rocky Mountain, Colorado. Stories. Accessed May 31, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/historyculture/time_line_of_historic_events.htm

“Rocky Mountain National Park: A History. Chapter 4: Dreams with Silver Lining.” National Park Service. Park History Program. Accessed June 12, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/romo/buchholtz/chap4.htm

“Rocky Mountain National Park: A History. Chapter 4: Dreams with Silver Lining.” National Park Service. Park History Program. Accessed June 12, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/romo/buchholtz/chap4.htm