It
was a gathering spot in the summer for 15,000 Ute Indians who would come for
cattle, flour, and blankets, supplies from the government agency.
It
became very busy during a short gold rush that didn't pan out (get it?). Most of the miners moved on to Georgetown
when silver was discovered there. Empire was a very busy mining town that has sadly become more of a drive-through on the way to the ski slopes.
The
Peck House hotel is still there, but it appears to be closed for the season. The Peck House is the oldest hotel extant in the state [Colorado}. Many of the antiques used throughout the hotel came by oxcart with the Peck family in 1862.
Empire
is the home of the original Hard Rock Café as you can see in the pictures.
The unstaffed Visitor Center does feature two coin-operated binoculars.
Nearby Empire, CO on a county (i.e. public) right-of-way. Great hiking area! Historically rich area and the gold ain't bad either. There's an Easter Seals(tm) camp, Frisbee(tm) golf and even a serene cemetery to explore.
Do
not speed through the town. The police
love to give tickets to travelers who try to rush through this very small town.
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFED7_Empire_Colorado_USA
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