1893 Map of Crested Butte

About this map

Crested Butte and the nearby settlement of Gothic serve as the primary anchors in this high-altitude survey of the Elk Mountains, conducted during the mining booms of the late 19th century. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad follows the base of Gibson Ridge and Mt Whetstone, marking the critical industrial link that transformed this remote terrain into a hub for silver and coal extraction. The landscape is defined by the high peaks of the Sawtooth Range, including Taylor Peak and Star Peak, which overlook a network of glaciated basins like Virginia Basin and Queen Basin. Beyond the towns, the map reveals the early mountain passes such as Pearl Pass and Taylor Pass, which were essential for travel between the Gunnison and Roaring Fork watersheds before modern roads. Drainage patterns from East Brush Creek and Cement Creek illustrate the water sources that sustained the camps and nascent grazing operations within the Gunnison National Forest.