Creede, Colorado: Silver & Gold on the Rio Grande – A Wild West Adventure
Okay, picture this: You’re cruising through the mountains of Colorado, ready for a taste of the Old West. You want stunning scenery, a dash of history, and maybe even a glimpse of some real-deal mining relics. Well, buckle up, because Creede, Colorado, and its famous Bachelor Loop are about to deliver!
Silver Fever! (And a Little History)
Let’s get one thing straight: there was silver in them hills. Back in 1889, a prospector named Nicholas C. Creede struck it rich, and the town boomed. But hey, folks were kicking around this area way before Creede hit the jackpot. The Ute tribe, for example, knew these mountains like the back of their hand, moving with the seasons between the valleys and the high country.
And speaking of history, just a little ways down the river, you’ll find Wagon Wheel Gap. It had hot springs that were a big draw for Native Americans and, later, settlers looking to soak their troubles away. By the 1870s, stagecoaches were rumbling through, connecting mining camps and bringing even more people to the area.
Even tourists started showing up, lured by tales of the Wild West and the promise of those "healing waters" at the hot springs. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad made it easy, dropping folks off at Wagon Wheel Gap starting in 1883.
Enter: Nicholas "Nic" Creede
Now, back to our main man, Nic Creede. He was a former soldier and scout who’d been bouncing around the Rockies, chasing that golden (or silvery) dream. He wasn’t a complete newbie – he’d already found some promising mineral veins before, but this time, it was the Holy Moses mine that really put Creede on the map.
Word spread like wildfire, and by 1891, the population exploded from a sleepy 600 to over 10,000!
Big Money, Big Mines
Creede’s Holy Moses mine caught the eye of David Moffat, a Denver big shot in finance. Moffat leased the mine from Creede and funded his future prospecting, giving him a cut of all finds, plus $100 a month. This deal allowed Creede to discover a rich Amethyst vein that would lead to several mines, including the Bachelor, Annie Rooney, Sunnyside, and the Commodore. It is estimated that the Amethyst vien made Creede up to $1,000 a day in 1892.
From Jimtown to Boomtown
The original town that became Creede was located on East Willow Creek, just above its junction with West Willow Creek. Below the town were Stringtown, Jimtown, and Amethyst. After the discovery of the Holy Moses, the entire area from East Willow to Amethyst was renamed Creede in honor of Nicholas. Railroad tycoon William Palmer extended the line from Wagon Wheel Gap into Willow Creek Canyon just above Creede in 1891, eventually leading to two trains arriving and departing daily, shipping over a million dollars in Silver down-valley by 1892.
Wild Times & Colorful Characters
With all that money flowing, Creede became a magnet for gamblers and shady characters. Soapy Smith, a notorious con man, basically ran the criminal side of town. You might even recognize some other names like Bat Masterson, William Sidney “Cap” Light, and Robert Ford, the guy who famously shot Jesse James.
Ford even opened a dance hall, but it burned down in a fire (talk about bad luck!). He quickly set up a tent saloon, but his luck ran out when Edward O’Kelley walked in and shot him dead. Some folks whispered that Soapy Smith was involved, but nobody ever proved it.
Fire, Incorporation, and a Silver Crash
Just days after the fire, Creede officially became a town on June 13, 1892. But the party didn’t last forever. The anti-gambling movement was cooling down, and Denver businessmen began moving out of Creede and back to their original operations. The mining boom lasted until the next year when the Silver Panic of 1893 shuttered most of the mines. But unlike some boom towns, Creede survived the economic downturn, as they increasingly relied on lead and zinc mining. Prospectors and families began moving from nearby abandoned mining camps to Creede, which by then had installed its own electric system.
County Seat Drama!
There was even a bit of a squabble over who would be the county seat. A guy named M.V.B. Wason thought his ranch was the best spot, but Creede wanted the honor. It got so heated that some Creede residents raided Wason and stole all the town’s official records! Talk about a Wild West showdown!
The Long Haul
Mining had its ups and downs, but Creede hung in there, relying on hard rock mining to keep the town going. Production through 1966 included 58 million troy ounces of silver, 2 million metric tons of copper, 150 thousand ounces of gold, 112 thousand metric tons of lead, and 34 metric tons of zinc. Mining continued all the way up to 1985, when the last mine, the Homestake, closed permanently.
Creede Today: History, Art, and Adventure
These days, Creede is back to its roots: tourism! The town is full of historic buildings, art galleries, and theaters.
If you’re an outdoorsy type, you’re in luck. Creede sits near the headwaters of the Rio Grande, so you can go rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Hiking is also a big deal here, with trails for all skill levels.
Bachelor Loop: A Must-Do!
But the real highlight? The Bachelor Loop Historic Driving Tour! It’s a 17-mile loop through the old mining district, where you’ll see abandoned mines, old camps, and the Last Chance Mine. You can also check out the Creede Underground Mining Museum & Community Center.
The loop has 14 stops with info about the mining history, but be warned: the east side is rough and requires a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. The west side is easier, so you can always go that way if you’re not feeling too adventurous.
Last Chance Mine: A Labor of Love
The Last Chance Mine is a real gem, thanks to a guy named Jack Morris. He’s spent years rebuilding the mine, reopening the shaft, and setting up museums. Definitely worth a stop to chat with Jack and soak up the history. He’s even in a PBS documentary about Creede!
So, there you have it: Creede, Colorado – a town with a wild past, stunning scenery, and plenty of adventure. Ready to go explore?