Creede History Museum
|
Gunfighters, Gamblers, Conmen, Miners and Ranchers
15 S. Main Street PO Box 608 Creede, CO 81130 Contact: 719-658-2004 Email Us: creedehistoricalsociety@gmail.com Hours/Admission: Closed for 2020 Website: https://creede-historical-society.business.site/ |
Mural depicting Bob Ford's assassination.
The Creede Historical Museum is located in the Denver & Rio Grande Train Depot (listed on the State Registry of Historic Places, Nov 1994). The one-story wood frame depot was built in 1891-1892, during Creede's boom days when the Denver & Rio Grande extended its line to Creede to support the mining operation and the approximately 10,000 fortune hunters that quickly followed. The rail line originally went through Creede, up the canyon to Upper Creede and a ways beyond. It is said that the line paid for itself in only four months. Such things were possible during boom times!
During the full production years before 1893, two trains came into and left from Creede daily. At this time there was a telegraph office in the depot. This first line was narrow gauge, with only three feet between the rails, but in 1902 standard gauge rails were laid. Passenger service was offered until June 18, 1931. Freight was still brought in and ore shipped out of Creede until 1973. It has been many years since the building was used as a depot.
Read more about the history of Creede, Colorado and the history of the Creede Historical Society and Museum.
Scenic Byway itinerary:
Short Walks, Long Views - a 3-Day Itinerary on 3 Scenic Byways
Bachelor Historic Loop Tour:
The old mine structures and shafts of the Creede Mining district will fire your imagination about the struggle of miners digging ore in the steep cliffs above Creede. The Bachelor Historic Loop Tour takes you by 17 mine sites that brought wealth to some and hard, dangerous work for many others. Sites are interpreted by a booklet available at museums and the Creede Chamber of Commerce. There is also an interpretive marker near site #17, the underground firehouse, on the north end of Creede. Stop and explore the history of this once bustling area.
During the full production years before 1893, two trains came into and left from Creede daily. At this time there was a telegraph office in the depot. This first line was narrow gauge, with only three feet between the rails, but in 1902 standard gauge rails were laid. Passenger service was offered until June 18, 1931. Freight was still brought in and ore shipped out of Creede until 1973. It has been many years since the building was used as a depot.
Read more about the history of Creede, Colorado and the history of the Creede Historical Society and Museum.
Scenic Byway itinerary:
Short Walks, Long Views - a 3-Day Itinerary on 3 Scenic Byways
Bachelor Historic Loop Tour:
The old mine structures and shafts of the Creede Mining district will fire your imagination about the struggle of miners digging ore in the steep cliffs above Creede. The Bachelor Historic Loop Tour takes you by 17 mine sites that brought wealth to some and hard, dangerous work for many others. Sites are interpreted by a booklet available at museums and the Creede Chamber of Commerce. There is also an interpretive marker near site #17, the underground firehouse, on the north end of Creede. Stop and explore the history of this once bustling area.
