Located at the elevation of 9,603 ft. town of Breckenridge was established in 1859 as a mining spot during the 19th century Gold Fever. When general George E. Spencer established the town it was called "Breckinridge", after the John Cabell Breckinridge (Vice President for James Buchanan). However, in 1861 the name was changed to Breckenridge, as is was discovered that Breckinridge's Civil War sympathies were with the South and the town didn't want to be associated with that.

In 1891, a discovery of an error in two U.S. annexation maps, which resulted in omition of 40-mile strip of land between Hoosier Pass and Slate Creek, brought up the term "Kingdom of Breckenridge" and the No Man's Land Day has followed.

In 1961, Peak 8 Ski Area opened, giving a start to the Breckenridge ski area, which after 20 years became internationally-known Breckenridge Ski Resort and now features total of 4 mountains - Peak 7, 8, 9 and 10, each with it's individual terrain offering from beginner's cruising on Peak 9 to expert terrain on Peak 8.

Modern town of Breckenridge has a current population of 3,199 and is home to Summit County's largest historic district. Breckenridge offers many dining, shopping, entertainment and nighlife choices for locals and town's visitors.