1902 Map of Silverton

About this map

Silverton serves as the central hub for this high-altitude mining region, where the Animas River meets the confluence of several steep mountain gulches. At the turn of the century, the landscape is defined by an intricate network of narrow-gauge rail lines, including the Silverton Northern R.R. and the Denver and Rio Grande R.R., which thread through narrow canyons to reach remote camps and processing sites. High-elevation settlements like Animas Forks, Eureka, and Gladstone are linked by these rails and precarious routes over Cinnamon Pass. The map reveals the intense industrial footprint of the era, from the Sunnyside Mill to the numerous basins such as Arastra Basin and Spencer Basin where mineral extraction was in full swing. This survey captures a specific moment in Colorado history when these isolated mountain outposts were essential nodes in a booming silver and gold economy.