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Creede,
Colorado
Attractions
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Bachelor
Historic Loop
This 17-mile route takes
visitors through Creede's unique silver mining district and past two
ghost town site. The tour begins at the kiosk at the fork of
East and West Willow Creek in the canyon north of town and ends at
the kiosk on State Hwy. 149 in Creede. Guide books can be purchased
at the Chamber of Commerce or at the kiosk at the south end of town.
This guide book is a comprehensive narrative of the last great silver
mining boom town in Colorado.
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Basham
Park
Located in the heart of
downtown Creede, the park offers a gazebo, picnic tables, public restrooms,
fresh water and a shady place to relax and watch the world go by.
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Creede
Historical Museum
The museum is housed in the old Denver and Rio Grande Railroad
Depot, next to Basham Park, and run by the Creede Historical Society.
Museum exhibits feature the town's first hand-drawn firewagon, a horse-drawn
hearse, early pioneer utensils, gambling devises, historical photographs
and other memorabilia of Creede's past. Open seven days a week from
Memorial Day to Labor Day, through the winter by appointment.
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Creede
Repertory Theatre
The
nationally acclaimed Creede Repertory Theatre is a major draw for
Creede's visitors as well as residents. From mid-June through Labor
Day, the theatre present 7 productions; 4 on the main stage and 3
in the "3rd Floor Theatre", in true rotating repertory.
At the height of the theatre's season it is possible to see all 7
plays in four days. Productions offered vary from year to year and
include musical, comedies, contemporary and classic dramas. Advance
reservations are strongly suggested. Season schedule is available
in the spring and may be requested by calling (719) 658-2540 or by
writing to P.O. Box 269, Creede, CO 81130.
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Creede
Underground Firehouse
This is one
of the most unusual fire stations in the country, carved into the
side of a mountain by volunteer firefighters. Contact the Sheriff's
office at (719) 658-2600 for tour information. The firehouse is a
short walk north of downtown Creede in Willow Creek Canyon.
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Creede
Underground Mining Museum
This museum was built totally underground with tunnels blasted
out of the mountain by hard rock miners once employed by area mining
companies. Exhibits recreate the experience of working in an underground
mine and guided tours are led by retired miners who explain equipment
and methods of mining. Tours are available daily during the summer,
and Monday-Friday during the winter. The museum is located just
north of town in Willow Creek Canyon.
407 North Loma; Creede, CO 81130 / (719) 658-0811
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Downtown
Creede
Filled with
unique gift shops, galleries, eateries, groceries, and banks this
four block section of Creede's main street is spectacular in its own
right. With the cliffs rising nearly 1,000 feet directly north of
this area, first-time visitors are amazed at the views. A map is available
at the Creede/Mineral County Chamber of Commerce office or the Visitors'
Information Center.
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North
Creede
While only
a few private structures remain, this is the area where the "boom"
of 1892 actually began and is the original town site of Creede. A
few historical sites remain, including the old jail. North Creede
is located in East Willow Creek canyon (take the right fork north
of the Underground Mining Museum).
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Old
Creede Cemetery
Battered fences,
crumbling headstones and timeworn wrought iron fences allow visitors
a glimpse of the final resting places of a hard working people who
carved a legendary mining town out of the Rocky Mountains. Get there
by tuning right off State Hwy 149 on the Bachelor Road (last turn
before the highway goes out of town toward Lake City). Go ½ mile and
turn at the cemetery sign. Cemetery is on the left.
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Bob
Ford's Grave
Bob Ford is
one of Creede's most famous historical figures. The murderer
of Jesse James had moved to Creede during its "boom" to
set up a saloon and gambling hall. On June 7, 1892 Ed O'Kelly killed
Ford in Ford's saloon. Ford was buried in the Creede cemetery,
his wife later moved his body for burial in the midwest.
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Wheeler
Geologic Area
Geologically,
Mineral County is one of the most important study areas in the world
for volcanic history. Eruptions of earth-shaking magnitude rocked
Mineral County eons ago. While massive volcanic eruptions were creating
the silver veins that still hide in the San Juan Mountains around
Creede, the Wheeler Geologic area was being born. This impressive
and singular landscape, comprised of volcanic turf, has eroded over
the years to fashion a spectacular terrain. Contact the Forest Service
(719) 658-2556 for details on traveling to this remote area.
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Rio
Grande National Forest
Creede is located within the boundaries
of the 1,851,792-acre Rio Grande National Forest. The headwaters
of the Rio Grande River begin in this national forest characterized
by mountain waterways and rugged high country. Recreation opportunities
within the Rio Grande National Forest are many. Visitors can enjoy
easy access to hiking, mountain biking, road biking, camping, picnicking,
four-wheel driving, horseback riding and more. Many visitors enjoy
cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and backcountry
touring during the winter.
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