About Frisco
Central to four world-class ski areas, a world-class bike path system and along the shores of immaculate Lake Dillon, Frisco is literally at the crossroads of Summit County, Colorado’s premier mountain community. Chris has been visiting Frisco since he was too young to walk, as his family has been drawn here in both the winter and summer months for the views, the people, and the great activities. See below for a bit of background on the town.
Maps
For the following maps click on the link above:
-Frisco Historic Park Walking Map
-Frisco Areas Points of Interest
-Frisco Ski Resorts
-Map of Public Addresses
-Paved Paths Map
-Frisco in relation to Denver
Fast Facts
Population: 2,697 year round; 4,209 second homeowners. Combined approx. 6,906 people
Elevation: 9,097 feet above sea level
Size: 3 square miles
Restaurants/Bars: 34
Shopping/Boutiques: 35
Sports/Adventure shops: 11
Hotels/Inns/B&B’s: 35
Condo Units: 500
Number of Pillows: 2,500
Fitness Facilities: 0
The Name
“Frisco” was not directly named after San Francisco, CA. The name Frisco was derived from a combination of letters associated with the
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company, who was interested in building a railway through the mountains of Colorado to get west.
The “F R” from Francisco the “I S” from St. Louis the “C O” for Company,
which produced…F R I S C O
This Frisco Line, originating in Missouri, never made its way into Frisco, Colorado. It eventually ran south and ended up in Frisco, Texas instead.
By 1882, two different railroad companies did service Frisco; the Denver, South Park & Pacific (D. S. P. & P.) and the Denver & Rio Grande (D. & R. G.).
History
Frisco’s history began with the Ute Indians who first traveled the region now known as Summit County. The first white men to come through this area were known as “mountain men” who trapped in the high mountain lakes for the thick coat of the beaver. The mountain men trapped in this territory from 1810 to around the 1840’s.
The 1870’s ushered in mining to the area. Founded in 1873 (officially chartered in 1879) by Henry Recen, the Town of Frisco quickly developed thanks in part to the locale’s many mines. By 1882 the permanent population reached 250 with two railroads, many businesses, hotels and saloons, not to mention “loads of mines.” The mining boomed lasted until 1918.
Along with the rest of the country, Frisco was hit by the Depression; by 1930 Frisco’s permanent population had dropped to only 18 people. Frisco was one of the few old mining towns to keep going. Many of the smaller, less accessible mining towns were deserted. Frisco persevered and by 1946 the population had increased to 50. Frisco, with a current population just under 2,800 full-time residents, remained a sleepy town with a sprinkling of summer tourists until the ski industry - which now attracts some 3 million people a year to the area — brought a new boom era to Summit County.
