A Trip in Time

As early as 1870, miners from over the mountain in Elizabethtown, the Moreno Valley boom town that sprang up following the end of the Civil War, had searched the Red River Valley looking for any trace of “color” in the streams and along the river bank. Their efforts were not rewarded. Twenty-five years later, new exploration had met with more promising results and soon the quiet little valley was abuzz with rainbow chasers looking for the pot of gold.

By 1897, population estimates ranged from 1,500 (the Pueblo, Colorado, newspaper) to 3,000, a boast by the Red River Mining News, one of three Red River papers in 1897. In addition to wildfire rumors of “promising assays” and “new finds,” land speculators were making dubious claims that further made truth a rare and relatively pointless commodity in the mountains. Claims were filed, tents and log cabins dotted the hillsides of every canyon and valley within miles of Red River City.

Like most western gold camps, the hopes and dreams of hard rock miners were never more than desperate longings for success. Low grade ore quality, prohibitive transportation costs and an abundance of ground water that flooded tunnels, adits and shafts put an end to the golden dreams of Red River City. The rainbow chasers moved on and, by 1905, the population had dwindled to approximately 150 hardy souls.

Still Alive

The Little Red School Museum proudly houses photos and artifacts of Red River’s colorful past. Some folks even say it’s a Time Machine. Walk through the front doors and you will be transported back to the 19th and 20th century for a glimpse of those glorious days when gold fever gave birth to our tiny mountain town.

Located on Jayhawk Trail, next to the Red River Public Library, the schoolhouse was built in 1917 to replace the original log school house that burned to the ground. It became not only a place of learning but served as a center for community activity, hosting dances, socials, weddings, funerals and church services. The last year it was used for formal education was 1942, but it remained the social hub of town.

In 1999, the school was moved from its original location on High Street on the banks of Bitter Creek to its current site next to the Library. It offers a peek into the daily lives of the colorful folks who have given Red River its unique character. There is also a recreation of a 1900s classroom, with desks and maps from the original school. The museum is closed Wednesday and Sunday, but the library now houses an historical photo exhibit that is open to the public year round.