MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Decorated coffins will be racing the streets of Manitou Springs, on Saturday, for the 30th annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races. Saturday is all about the ‘weird’ and unique. The beloved Manitou resident the event honors… has a unique story of her own.
Emma Crawford’s Story
Emma Crawford moved to Manitou Springs in 1888, with the hopes of recuperating from tuberculosis. Emma became close with a famous engineer, Wilhelm Hildenbrand, and they’d take walks in the mountains surrounding Manitou. On one occasion, they ascended the Red Mountain, which overlooks Downtown Manitou Springs, and Emma fell in love with her surroundings.
“Emma was so enthralled with the beauty and the splendor of these sites that she announces to Wilhelm Hildenbrand, upon her death, she wanted to be buried on the top of Red Mountain,” Michael Maio, President of the Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum said.
She was laid to rest, once again, to the southern summit of the Red Mountain. That was until 1929, when a major rainstorm changed her course once more.
And so, Emma’s request was carried out. She passed on December 4th of 1891, and her coffin was carried to the north summit of the Red Mountain, where she was buried.
Fast forward to the early 1900‘s, Emma‘s coffin ended up being reburied and relocated, when her grave was sighted in the midst of the Red Mountain Incline construction project, near its completion. Her coffin lay in the middle of the incline’s, right of way. She was laid to rest, once again, to the southern summit of the Red Mountain. That was until 1929, when a major rainstorm changed her course once more.
Due to the severity of the rainstorm, Emma’s remains and parts of her coffin were washed down the slopes of the Red Mountain.
“There were some boys at that time who were exploring Red Mountain,” Maio explained. “And they actually found Emma’s remains, her skull, some skeletal remains, and also the name plate from her coffin. And that’s how local officials were able to identify the remains of Emma Crawford.”
Her remains were soon turned to the town constable, who had no idea what to do next.
“He ended up putting all these remains in storage, in the basement of City Hall, where they remained for three years until 1932,” Maio stated. “In 1932, city council here in Manitou Springs passed a resolution authorizing the reburial of Emma Crawford in the town cemetery, which today is known as Crystal Valley Cemetery. With respect to that burial site, nobody knows the exact location of where Emma was laid to rest. But in any event, several years ago, our museum had installed a stone commemorating Emma Crawford and her story.”
Thousands of tourists attend the Emma Crawford Coffin Races, to honor and remember her.
30TH COFFIN RACES
56 coffins will be racing for a chance to win the Coffin Cup.
One local Manitou Springs business will be racing for their 5th year and are hoping to win both the Brewers and Coffin Cup… They’ll then be able to take on the next challenge, at the Frozen Dead Guys Race in Estes Park.
“This is a really great time to team build with friends, coworkers, family,” Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort owner, Torie Giffin, exclaimed.
Team ‘Boo-ffalo’ Lodge has a big start to the day, Saturday, waking up early and heading to the coffin race inspection at 8a.m.
“You can come and get your face painted here from 11 to one o’clock with Clowning by Miss Kiddee,” Giffin said, acknowledging the Buffalo Lodge. “At noon, we all parade down Manitou, and we actually invite our friends to come and ride and parade with us. We even have guests coming from out of state to come carry our banner in the parade… We do have a big after-the-coffin-race bash here, that starts at four o’clock with DJ Gabe from the Future and Sweet Tea.”
Giffin told 11 News, an event bringing tourists to Manitou during the off season, like the Coffin Races, is huge for local businesses. The annual tradition has grown exponentially, since its beginning days.
“In the early days, you know, there were maybe five or six coffins and 50 people standing on the side of the road,” said the event manager of Visit Manitou Springs, Jenna Gallas. “From then to now, a lot has changed.”
Gallas said parking will not be available for attendees in Manitou Springs, and the road closure will be starting at 9 a.m. going all the way until 3 p.m. With that in mind, the event has 17 shuttle busses taking off from Garden of the Gods at Citizen Service Center.
“They’re gonna run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Gallas said. “It’s free to park, and it’s $5 round trip. You can’t even get parking in Manitou for $5, so we encourage you to take the shuttle, grab an Uber, grab a Lyft. We’ve got a drop off point right at the road closure.”
Giffin said attendees are more than welcome to stay or park at the Lodge, and make their way down to the races, only being two miles away from the start.
Overall, Emma Crawford’s legacy, has brought a legacy event for Manitou Springs itself.
“Costume up, even if it’s simple, you’re going to look strange if you’re not in costume,” Gallas said. “This is the day to let it wave and be yourself, bring the whole family out and have a great time in Manitou Springs.”
Click here to livestream the Emma Crawford Coffin Races.
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