Colorado's Quirky and Adventurous History Unearthed

Colorado has long been synonymous with the majestic Rocky Mountains and its energetic outdoor lifestyle. But beneath the aweinspiring vistas lies a treasure trove of fascinating, lesserknown historical gems that capture the spirit of this rugged, breathtaking state. From peculiar customs to inspiring stories, join us as we explore the quirks and curiosities that have shaped Colorados adventurous past.

1) Miramont Castle (9 Capitol Hill Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829) is home to an American Gothicstyle Victorian mansion built in 1895 by French priest Father Jean Baptist Francolon. Intent on impressing his European mother during her visit from France, he commissioned a 46room castle complete with secret passageways rumored to have hosted clandestine meetings for local Templar knights truly worthy of Dan Brown's attention!

2) Nestled among iconic peaks, Telluride was once lauded for its rowdy saloons where miners spent their hardearned gold. It was here at Sheridan Opera House (110 N Oak St., Telluride, CO 81435) in1903 that legendary Butch Cassidy saw a performance after his infamous bank robbery just yards awaya scene vividly reminiscent of Clint Eastwood's spaghetti westerns.

3) Love your Coors beer? The town of Golden might be familiar as it houses Adolph Coors first brewery site dating back to1873(13th & Ford Sts., Golden). Inspired by Edgar Allan Poes The Raven, Coors also founded Endangered Species Cemetery filled with tombstones honoring extinct species like Dodo Birdstruly a testament to Colorados quirky progressive spirit.

4) Speaking of spiritsthe Stanley Hotel (333 Wonderview Ave., Estes Park), another renowned historic locationmay look familiar because Stephen King based his spinechilling novel The Shining on this glamorous yet eerie hotel. Visitors still report ghostly encounters, and even Jack Nicholson couldn't resist a nights stay while filming the iconic movie adaptation.

5) Love art? Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park boasts ancient Pueblo dwellings tucked into alcoves of sandstone cliffs, a masterpiece sculpture of Mother Nature herself (Mesa Verde National Park Visitor Center: 35853 Rd H.12). Marvel at these mysterious ruins that have inspired countless works of fiction like Tony Hillerman's A Thief of Time.

6) Colorado played host to one of America's most bizarre festivals Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland (1 W 1st St., Nederland), an annual winter festival paying tribute to Bredo Morstoel, whose cryogenically frozen body remains stored in a shed since 1989! Complete with coffin races and polar plunges, it echoes eccentricities worthy of Tim Burton's films.

7) Deep beneath Cheyenne Mountain lies the ultrasecure NORAD facility (Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colorado Springs)a vast underground complex designed during the Cold War paranoia era as depicted in Stanley Kubricks Dr. Strangelove. While visitors arent allowed inside its depths, imagining what goes on behind those mountainous walls adds another layer of intrigue to an already adventurous state full secrets waiting to be discovered.

As you explore Colorados uncharted territories and hidden history steeped in breathtaking beauty and quirky cultural nuancesremember that authentic experiences await when you venture offthebeatenpath. Keep your eyes peeled for winks from bygone eras that may inspire awe or laughter but never fail to remind us why we love calling this astonishing landscape home.

Websites:

Miramont Castle www.miramontcastle.org

Sheridan Opera House www.sheridanoperahouse.com

Coors Brewery Tour www.millercoors.com/breweries/coorsbrewingcompany/tours

The Stanley Hotel www.stanleyhotel.com

Mesa Verde National Park www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

Frozen Dead Guy Days www.frozendeadguydays.org

Twitter Handles:

@Visit_Manitou, @SheridanOpera, @CoorsBanquetCA, @StanleyHotel, @NatlParkService (Mesa Verde), @Frozentweets