Creede
This is one of the least "tourist-oriented" towns
in Colorado, but don't let that deter you from visiting
this wonderful little mining town, in a beautiful site in
the remote Rio Grande River Valley, north of the town of
South Fork. The San Juan Mountains provide a striking
setting for Creede, which is situated in a side-canyon
within the wide valley.
The first silver discovery in this area was
made by Nicholas Creede, in 1889. Within weeks, several
mines were opened, including the Holy Moses Mine (Creede
exclaimed "holy Moses" when he first spotted silver). The
town boomed to a population of 10,000. It was a rowdy,
undisciplined place, attracting con men including the
infamous Soapy Smith who later would be shot to death in
Skagway Alaska, following more dirty tricks. Bat
Masterton was the town marshal for a short time. Calamity
Jane, Slanting Annie, and other "ladies" served the
miners' passions. However, like all of the other mining
camps of the age, Creede collapsed -- in fewer than five
years -- and then four major fires pretty well wiped out
the town.
What to See & Do
The disasters that befell the town in its
first few years didn't stop Creede from rebuilding, and
although the last mine -- the Homestead -- stopped
operations, the town continues to exist, and is now a
center for artists and writers, and for other independent
spirits who stay here because of the beautiful scenery
and the wilderness recreation which lies at their
doorsteps -- in the Rio Grande National Forest and
La Garita Wilderness. The Rio Grande provides some
of the best fishing in this part of the state. A
testament to that is the large number of guest ranches
which are located along the river, just north of Creede.
Other good fishing holes include the Road Canyon
Reservoir -- 5 miles east of Creede -- and Ute
Creek, west of the Rio Grande Reservoir.
The major summer attraction is in the old
Creede Opera House: the Creede Repertory Theatre.
Each year, the company stages a series of popular plays
-- so popular that reservations are required for most
evenings. For the playlist and reservations, write to the
Creede Repertory Theatre, P.O. Box 269, Creede CO 81130,
or call (719) 658-2540.
Those with four-wheel-drive or good
clearance should plan to drive the East Willow Creek
Loop, which leads from the end of the box canyon in
Creede, through then original settlement (North Creede),
past old mining works, to the scenic Willow Park
area. The 7-mile loop ends by passing through the old
townsite of Bachelor, where only a few foundations
remain. The road returns to Creede, passing the old
pioneer cemetery.
