Old Courthouse

This geocache is part of Colorado's South Park GeoTour, which means you can win prizes by finding 20 or more caches. Visit our website for more information and to download your GeoTour Passport!

Container Type: Magnetic Key Holder
Code Location: Outside of container
Access Info: This cache is located on Park County property. Generally, the building is open from 7am to 6pm Monday - Thursday.

Winter Access: Same

Seven years after Fairplay became the county seat, local officials replaced a small log courthouse (now in South Park City Museum) with this impressive Italianate style structure constructed of native red sandstone. Along with the stone jail (northwest of the Courthouse), the building witnessed a parade of the famous, the notorious, and the ordinary, including Johnny Hoover who was hung by vigilantes from a second-story window in 1880. As a result of this incident, it has been referred to as the "hanging court" for well over 100 years. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is currently undergoing renovations for use as county offices.

Park County Courthouse ca. 1880s, courtesy of the Park County Local History Archives

This geocache is located on the courthouse grounds and will require stealth to find without being spotted by muggles. You can park on the street or in the parking lot behind the building.