The pioneer doctor was respected by everyone in the community, even the outlaw. His sole purpose was to save a life or to ease the pain. He traveled in all kinds of weather and under the most adverse conditions to comfort the afflicted. This exhibit represents a tribute to those pioneer doctors.
This three-room pioneer building was moved from Fairplay in 1962 to become the doctor's office for South Park City. Museum founder Leon Snyder had a particular interest in restoring a doctor's office at South Park City, because his grandfather, Dr. Henry S. Zumro, had been a surgeon during the Civil War. Snyder had inherited the antique instruments and medical equipment and would, at last, have a place to display them.
Medicines and instruments for extracting teeth are on display here. Dr. Zumro used these during the Civil War period until 1890. In those horse-and-buggy days, doctors not only carried cases full of medicines but instruments for pulling teeth. The oldest tooth extractor in the exhibit is called a "key" and was used by Dr. Zumro in those early days. It is a cruel-looking instrument when compared with today's modern standards. Along with Dr. Zumro's physician book, these instruments were donated by Dr. Zumro's granddaughter, Miss Alta Snyder, of Colorado Springs.
Mr. Snyder advertised for additional medical equipment used by pioneer doctors. The response was unbelievable.
Some of the surgical and medical instruments belonged to Dr. J.W.H. Baker, a Colorado practitioner. Dr. Baker attended Harvard Medical School. Dr. Baker started a practice in California during the famous Gold Rush of 1849. Several years later, he returned to Colorado to raise his family. During Dr. Baker's long career in medicine, he accumulated many medical instruments. These were donated to the museum by his great-grandson, Dr. W.B. crouch of Colorado Springs.
