1888 Map of Crested Butte

About this map

Crested Butte stands as the primary hub of this high-altitude landscape surveyed in the late 1880s, situated at the confluence of several glacial valleys. The town is tied to the outside world via the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, which follows the narrow corridor of the Slate River. This layout reflects an economy transitioning from high-mountain prospecting to the industrial extraction of coal, noted by the presence of (Anthracite) along the western edge. North of the main settlement, the mining camp of Gothic is nestled near Avery Peak, serving as a gateway to the peaks of the Saw Tooth Range. The map documents a complex network of trails and roads crossing high saddles like Taylor Pass and Pearl Pass, connecting remote watersheds such as Cement Creek and East Brush Creek.