George & David Griffith
In 1858, two Kentucky-born brothers, George and David Griffith, headed west in search of gold. The promise of fortune and the thrill of adventure drew the brothers to the mountains of Colorado. Following Vasquez Creek (later called Clear Creek) during the summer of 1859, George discovered gold at the base of the mountain that today bears the family name. They established a camp known as George’s Town, which would later become Georgetown.
The following spring brought a rush of gold seekers to the narrow mountain valley, and the brothers established the Griffith Mining District in June 1860. Shortly after the formation of the Griffith Mining District, several early residents joined together to form the “Georgetown Company,” claiming 640 acres for a town site.
After 1861, new gold strikes around Georgetown were few and far between. Many early prospectors and investors left for more promising regions, and the town’s population dwindled. David Griffith left Georgetown for Kansas, where he married and practiced law. George left Georgetown in 1863 to become a mining superintendent in Mexico.
New life came to the Colorado mountain community with the discovery of major silver deposits in the area, and in 1867, the town boasted a population of 3,000. David and his family returned in 1867, and in 1868, ten years after George and David Griffith first arrived in the mountain valley, the Town of Georgetown was incorporated. David died in Georgetown, CO in 1882, following his brother George’s death in 1880 in Austin, TX.
The following spring brought a rush of gold seekers to the narrow mountain valley, and the brothers established the Griffith Mining District in June 1860. Shortly after the formation of the Griffith Mining District, several early residents joined together to form the “Georgetown Company,” claiming 640 acres for a town site.
After 1861, new gold strikes around Georgetown were few and far between. Many early prospectors and investors left for more promising regions, and the town’s population dwindled. David Griffith left Georgetown for Kansas, where he married and practiced law. George left Georgetown in 1863 to become a mining superintendent in Mexico.
New life came to the Colorado mountain community with the discovery of major silver deposits in the area, and in 1867, the town boasted a population of 3,000. David and his family returned in 1867, and in 1868, ten years after George and David Griffith first arrived in the mountain valley, the Town of Georgetown was incorporated. David died in Georgetown, CO in 1882, following his brother George’s death in 1880 in Austin, TX.