The World’s Greatest Gold Camp’s history comes to life during the 25th annual Mt. Pisgah Speaks Cemetery Tour as performed by members of the Gold Camp Victorian Society over the weekend of Sept. 20-21.

Visitors can step back in time to experience “in person” the famous, fascinating and sometimes notorious people who once lived at the Cripple Creek Mining District and who are now buried at the cemetery located west of Cripple Creek on Teller 1.

The cemetery is distinguished with a mountain backdrop, aspen groves, an impressive gate, wrought iron fencing and ornately carved monuments.

The Gold Camp Victorian Society is comprised of volunteers dedicated to the historic preservation of the Pikes Peak region. Members spend many hours researching and refining character reenactment performances of former residents at their respective gravesite locations throughout the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

Standing at the final resting place of the deceased, GCVS members will tell the tales of the gold camp’s most famous, infamous and fascinating characters to preserve their memory of days gone by.

Tour highlights include: Pearl DeVere, beloved madam of the Old Homestead Parlor House, Mortician and creative gravedigger “Digger” O’Dell, Dr. Susan Anderson (Doc Susie) — inspiration for Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, jail breaker James Bacon who continues to proclaim his innocence, soldiers of the Colorado Grand Army of the Republic, teacher Mabel Barbee Lee, author of Cripple Creek Days, and the colorful mine owner Molly Kathleen to name a few.

During the 1890s, life — and death — at the World’s Greatest Gold Camp arrived quickly and left suddenly for those seeking their fortunes.

The tour also includes historic references and background history of the Potters Field where an estimated 3,000 people were buried in unmarked graves, many from mining accidents. The baby section beneath the aspen grove is scattered with markers indicating the small graves of infants who perished at birth and were buried without names.

Although Mt. Pisgah Cemetery appears to be frozen in time, it continues to be tended by the local residents and loved ones who still remain in the land of the living; plots are added year after year and those visiting the cemetery are asked to be respectful.

Tours depart from the Cripple Creek District Museum every half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Visitors are asked to park at the Cripple Creek District Museum, located at 510 Bennett Ave. at the intersection of 5th St. and Bennett Ave., where visitors will be transported on the historic Cripple Creek Trolley from the museum to the cemetery.

It is advised to arrive early and for participants to plan for an approximate two-hour tour.

The walking tour covers uneven cemetery grounds where inclement weather may change to precipitation, gusty winds or cold temperature; walking shoes, hats, jackets and sunscreen are recommended. No pets are allowed, however clearly marked service animals are welcome. Free cookies, water and coffee are offered at the end of each tour.

Proceeds benefit the Gold Camp Victorian Society’s historic preservation efforts.