Emma Crawford lived in Manitou Springs, CO, at the turn of the 20th century. Sadly Emma died quite young, just before she was to marry Mr. Hildebrand, an engineer on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Emma was laid to rest on top of Red Mountain. After years of stormy weather on the granite mountain, the granite gave way and Emma's remains were washed down the side of Red Mountain. Emma was later buried in Crystal Valley Cemetery in Manitou Springs in an unmarked grave. An official grave site was granted to her in 2004 to honor her life. Every year in late October, Manitou Springs remembers this beautiful young woman who loved the color red with an Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Race and Festival. The day-long celebration begins with a coffin race in the town's National Historic District and is followed by a Parade of Hearses and Coffins and a lantern-lit walking tour.
Emma Crawford lived in Manitou Springs, CO, at the turn of the 20th century. Sadly Emma died quite young, just before she was to marry Mr. Hildebrand, an engineer on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Emma was laid to rest on top of Red Mountain. After years of stormy weather on the granite mountain, the granite gave way and Emma's remains were washed down the side of Red Mountain. Emma was later buried in Crystal Valley Cemetery in Manitou Springs in an unmarked grave. An official grave site was granted to her in 2004 to honor her life. Every year in late October, Manitou Springs remembers this beautiful young woman who loved the color red with an Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Race and Festival. The day-long celebration begins with a coffin race in the town's National Historic District and is followed by a Parade of Hearses and Coffins and a lantern-lit walking tour.
