The Peck House, located in Empire, Colo., was established in 1862 to serve visiting mining investors. James Peck, an adventuresome wealthy Chicago merchant, lured by gold, and his three teenage sons, came west in 1860. James chose to build a four-room house with a view of the lovely Empire valley. Mrs. Mary Grace Peck brought the family goods by wagon train to Empire in 1862.

James continually invited mine investors to stay at the house for free, but after awhile, Mary Grace convinced him to establish a hotel. In 1872 a second story and veranda were added, and she became a full-time innkeeper and cook. The Peck House soon became a stage coach stop for stages going over Berthoud Pass. A billiard room, poker room, bar, and a ladies parlor were added, making the hotel the social center of Clear Creek County. To comply with a new law, a library was added to the bar for the education of the miners.

The Peck House, located in Empire, Colo., was established in 1862 to serve visiting mining investors. James Peck, an adventuresome wealthy Chicago merchant, lured by gold, and his three teenage sons, came west in 1860. James chose to build a four-room house with a view of the lovely Empire valley. Mrs. Mary Grace Peck brought the family goods by wagon train to Empire in 1862.

James continually invited mine investors to stay at the house for free, but after awhile, Mary Grace convinced him to establish a hotel. In 1872 a second story and veranda were added, and she became a full-time innkeeper and cook. The Peck House soon became a stage coach stop for stages going over Berthoud Pass. A billiard room, poker room, bar, and a ladies parlor were added, making the hotel the social center of Clear Creek County. To comply with a new law, a library was added to the bar for the education of the miners.

The Peck House, located in Empire, Colo., was established in 1862 to serve visiting mining investors. James Peck, an adventuresome wealthy Chicago merchant, lured by gold, and his three teenage sons, came west in 1860. James chose to build a four-room house with a view of the lovely Empire valley. Mrs. Mary Grace Peck brought the family goods by wagon train to Empire in 1862.

James continually invited mine investors to stay at the house for free, but after awhile, Mary Grace convinced him to establish a hotel. In 1872 a second story and veranda were added, and she became a full-time innkeeper and cook. The Peck House soon became a stage coach stop for stages going over Berthoud Pass. A billiard room, poker room, bar, and a ladies parlor were added, making the hotel the social center of Clear Creek County. To comply with a new law, a library was added to the bar for the education of the miners.

The Peck House, located in Empire, Colo., was established in 1862 to serve visiting mining investors. James Peck, an adventuresome wealthy Chicago merchant, lured by gold, and his three teenage sons, came west in 1860. James chose to build a four-room house with a view of the lovely Empire valley. Mrs. Mary Grace Peck brought the family goods by wagon train to Empire in 1862.

James continually invited mine investors to stay at the house for free, but after awhile, Mary Grace convinced him to establish a hotel. In 1872 a second story and veranda were added, and she became a full-time innkeeper and cook. The Peck House soon became a stage coach stop for stages going over Berthoud Pass. A billiard room, poker room, bar, and a ladies parlor were added, making the hotel the social center of Clear Creek County. To comply with a new law, a library was added to the bar for the education of the miners.