Welcome to the 24th Annual
Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival
Since 1995, Manitou Springs has had an annual tradition honoring the memory of a beloved member of our community. Of all things, why coffin racing?
Emma Crawford came to Manitou Springs in 1889 searching for a cure for her tuberculosis in the the area’s famed natural cold-water mineral springs. She fell in love with the charming mountain town and her dying wish was to be buried on top of Red Mountain. Unfortunately, Emma succumbed to her illness in 1891. Her fiancé, a civil engineer on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway named William Hildebrand, honored her wishes. With the help of eleven other townspeople, William carried Emma’s coffin up the 7,200 foot slope and buried her near the summit of Red Mountain.
In 1929, after years of harsh winters and spring rains, Emma and her coffin came racing down the mountainside. The young children who happened upon her remains found only the casket handles, a nameplate, and a few bones.
Some say she still haunts Red Mountain today, but the only sure way to see Emma is to come to Manitou Springs and to the Coffin Races and Festival bearing her name.
In 1929, after years of harsh winters and spring rains, Emma and her coffin came racing down the mountainside. The young children who happened upon her remains found only the casket handles, a nameplate, and a few bones.
Some say she still haunts Red Mountain today, but the only sure way to see Emma is to come to Manitou Springs and to the Coffin Races and Festival bearing her name.
The 24th Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival will take place on
October 27th, 2018 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Contact Us
354 Manitou Ave
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
(719) 685-5089
coffinraces@manitouchamber.com
manitousprings.org
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
(719) 685-5089
coffinraces@manitouchamber.com
manitousprings.org