Project #12 - Fairplay “South Park”
Founded in 1859 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, prospectors named the camp “Fairplay” in protest of the greed and restrictive mining practices of the era.
Gold seekers founded the mining camp of Fairplay during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, establishing it in South Park near the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. Conditions were extremely harsh at over 9,900 feet in elevation, with thin air, long winters, and severe cold, making life in the camp difficult and attracting only the most resilient settlers.
A post office was established in Fairplay during the early territorial period in the 1860s, reflecting the growth of the mining settlement. The town was incorporated in 1872. The name “Fairplay” had already become the standard spelling by the late 19th century, with earlier variations such as “Fair Play” appearing in some early records.
Fires were a common hazard in 19th-century mining towns, where early structures were often built of wood and log in tightly packed settlements. Over time, many towns rebuilt using more durable materials such as milled lumber and brick, creating a more permanent streetscape. Some historic buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries still survive today, reflecting this period of reconstruction and growth.
In the early 1880s, narrow-gauge rail lines reached nearby areas of South Park, significantly improving freight transport and regional supply chains. Although the rugged terrain limited direct rail access into some mining towns, the new connections greatly reduced transportation costs and strengthened local mining economies.
Burro Days is a local race that began in 1949 in Fairplay to celebrate the town’s mining heritage. The event features burro racing over rugged mountain terrain near Mosquito Pass, honoring the pack animals once used in mining and supply transport. The course has varied over time, but it remains a demanding high-altitude race reflecting the region’s mining-era history and pioneer travel routes.
Fun Nuggets:
South Park is a real high mountain basin in Colorado known for its historic mining towns, ranching communities, and wilderness. The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, grew up in Colorado and drew inspiration from the region when developing their animated series. While the fictional town of South Park is based on this area, it is a satirical and exaggerated version rather than a direct depiction of the real basin. The show grew out of an early animated short that led to its development into a major cultural phenomenon.
