Colorado and the Silver Crash: The Panic of 1893

Description

A catastrophic depression engulfed Colorado in 1893. The government's decision to adopt the gold standard and stop buying silver hit the mining industry like a cave-in. Unemployment reached 90 percent in Leadville, a city built on silver. Strikes by union miners in Cripple Creek and Leadville led to destruction and death. Political parties split along battle lines of gold versus silver. By 1898, the country had begun to recover, but silver mining was never the same. 

 

Join author John Steinle as he uses firsthand commentary and historic photographs, to tell the story of Coloradans trapped in the unprecedented social, economic and political conflict of America's first great depression.

 

Mr. Steinle is the author of several books on the Frontier and Colorado and has been active in living history and reenactments since 1975, participating in groups like the 1st Colorado Volunteers Civil War unit and the American Military Living History Association. He currently serves as the President of the latter, presenting educational programs and taking part in events that commemorate American military history. He was the Curator and Archivist at the Cincinnati Art Museum and Cincinnati Historical Society, the Administrator of the Hiwan Homestead Museum, Jefferson County Open Space History Education Supervisor and Region Supervisor for the Bear Creek Region, retiring in 2016. He is further credentialed through his master's degree in museum and archival management from Wright State University.

Date & Time

Sun, Apr 26, 2026 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Venue Details

Little White Schoolhouse

26951 Barkley Road
Conifer, Colorado 80433

Conifer Historical Society & Museum