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Fremont County was first settled in the 1850's with Canon City officially named in 1861. One of the first couples to settle here was Anson and Harriet Rudd, whose son was the first white child born in the area. The early Rudd family log cabin is still standing and houses a museum. It is located next to City Hall.

In 1862 , oil was first discovered near Florence, the first oil field west of Pennsylvania. In 1901, it was a thriving oil refining center. (three refining companies), more populated then Canon City .

Sam Hartsel, began the first stock raising business when he brought a herd from Missouri after a two year drive.

Canon City was incorporated in 1872, with the railroad coming in 1874.

The first fossil field was discovered in 1878, with complete fossils of several types of dinosaurs excavated and now located in the Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum, and the Peabody Museum, as well as several bones displayed locally in the Natural History Museum in Canon City.