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One hundred years ago, tiny Oak Creek, Colorado was attracting new residents from around the globe. Immigrants from Poland, Turkey, Yugoslavia and Japan arrived in Oak Creek seeking work in the nearby coal mines. Others founded new businesses in the quickly growing downtown commercial district. In 1908, the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railroad reached Oak Creek and the town became a refueling stop for coal-hungry locomotives. By 1915, some 2,000 people lived in Oak Creek, and more than 30 businesses operated in a collection of one and two-story masonry and wood-frame buildings. Six of these businesses were saloons.
Work in the underground coal mines was dangerous and difficult. Many miners objected to the harsh conditions, leading to a series of strikes and confrontations between laborers, led by the United Mine Workers, and mine owners. During the 1913 strike, miners were evicted from their homes and the National Guard was called in to bring order. The following year, the community staged a large Labor Day celebration that became an annual event. To this day, Oak Creek's Labor Day celebration is one of Colorado's largest, featuring a parade, speeches, contests and the crowning of the Coal Queen.
Coal mining near Oak Creek peaked around 1930 and then declined, in part because railroad locomotives began switching from coal to diesel power. The mining and railroad boom in Oak Creek left behind a legacy of historic buildings, including the former United Mine Workers Hospital, a Mission-Style High School and the Town Hall, erected in 1925. After a new town hall was built in 1995, this historic structure fell into disrepair and nearly collapsed. With grant assistance from the Colorado State Historical Fund, the building was rescued by area citizens and completely rehabilitated. In 2007, the old town hall re-opened as the Tracks and Trails Museum. Exhibits in the museum and in adjacent "Bucket Park" illustrate the area's mining, railroad and labor history. Bucket Park is named for a massive, 40-year dragline strip mining bucket that was moved into town from the nearby Pittsburg & Midway Edna Mine.
FUN FACTS TO KNOW AND TELL In the early 20th century, more than 20 languages could be heard spoken in Oak Creek, including Croatian, Greek, German, Japanese and Italian. Workers from around the globe came to the area seeking employment in nearby coal mines.
Oak Creek was once the largest town in Routt County.
Oak Creek's annual Labor Day celebration is one of Colorado's largest.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT
The Rock Creek stage stop is a two-story structure built of hand hewn logs in the 1880s. Stabilized by local preservationists, the stagecoach stop is located east of Toponas along Highway 134.
The Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway runs from Yampa west to Meeker, passing through the White River National Forest and Flat Tops Wilderness area.
The Phippsburg Community Park in Phippsburg, Colorado features the Railroad Display and a vintage Denver & Rio Grand caboose.
The Stagecoach Reservoir off of Highway 14 offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hiking and boating.
BEST TIMES TO VISITLabor Day weekend
In the Fall, when the aspen leaves are changing and you can experience fabulous Indian Summers.
BYWAYSFlat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
OTHER WEBSITES Historic Routt County
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