Oak Creek was created by coal. Even before the railroad arrived, the economic and social life of south Routt County was clearly linked to the development of "Routt County Gold." Small wagon mines opened as early as 1887 when William Mahoney and homesteaders John and Henry Meyers pioneered wagon mining at a site just outside of the present town.

In 1907 three businessmen from the Cripple Creek area: Sam Bell, John Sharpe and D. C. Williams, bought the B. G. Schuster Ranch at the head of Oak Creek Canyon in order to lay out a townsite. The trio formed the Oak Creek Town, Land and Mining Company and filed a town plat. On December 26, 1907 Oak Creek was incorporated and three additions were filed in the following four years.

By 1908 the town boasted 50 residents, a store owned by Sam Bell and a store and post office run by Miss Pepple, the first postmistress. For a short while the town was called Belltown for brothers Sam and Ed Bell, but the thick scrub oak on the banks of the creek running through the town prompted the official name.

Oak Creek boomed only after the railroad reached town in January 1909. By that time the town was home to 200 residents and included the two general stores, the Pacific Hotel, a lumber yard, short order restaurant, two barber shops, two saloons, a pool hall, livery stable, laundry, drug store and dairy. That same year the first church, the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and first school were built.

By 1915 Oak Creek was becoming a melting pot, attracting men from all over the world to work its rich coal deposits. A stroll through the cemetery finds stones inscribed in many languages, reflecting the many nationalities of the families who lived and worked in area mining camps. The town grew to 2,000 residents, three churches and more than 30 businesses of which six were saloons. Electricity was provided by the Perry Mine and water and sewer services by a municipally owned system. A hospital and school for 160 elementary and high school students were built on the hill above town.

Oak Creek made a serious bid for the county seat in 1912. The town offered the county free land on which to build a courthouse and housing for government officials. Despite predictions of success, the town lost the election to Steamboat Springs by 700 votes.

Nationwide labor problems weakened Oak Creek's coal industry in the late 1910's and early 1920's. Production slumped and Theodore Lucero spearheaded early efforts to unionize around 1910. The first strike occurred in 1913; and the militia was called in, camping on the hill where the present high school is located.

From 1926 until the Depression Oak Creek again boomed. Businesses prospered and the Hickory Flats "red light district" flourished. During the Depression the mines cut back and many closed. The mines at Oak Creek and the town died together.

Today Oak Creek is a busy and active community and is experiencing a surge of residential development.

The Mines At Oak Creek

Arrowhead
Haybro
Juniper
Keystone
Moffat
Pinnacle
White City

Source: The Historic Guide to Routt County, copyright 1979 by The Tread of Pioneers Museum