Women Were in Short Supply in Crested Butte?

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Mary Willison, typical wife and mother of the times, moved here in 1882. She immediately became active in the United Community Church and various community activities…not many other activities included women. Colorado women didn’t achieve the right to vote, except in school elections, until 1893.

“Keeps house” was the overwhelming listed occupation for women in Crested Butte on the 1890 census. Other occupations listed were dressmaker, teacher, cook, laundress, servant, manager of a boarding house, and telegraph operator. The census takers, prudent to the Victorian times, did not list prostitutes. “Keeps house” was no easy task when the cost of living often exceeded family income.

In June, 1885 women composed 28.6 percent of the Crested Butte population. Of these 216 treasured citizens, two-thirds were fifteen years of age or older.

Source: “When Coal Was King”, by Duane A. Smith

Rob Quint

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