Once a popular silver mining site, the ghost town of North Creede sites abandoned in Mineral County, Colorado. Located North of Creede, as the name implies, within the East Willow Creek Canyon, only a few structures are remaining, including the old jail.
History
North Creede was developed during the 1890s silver boom and was the original site for the town of Creede, formerly known as Jimtown. North Creede is adjacent to the Holy Moses Mine, which is said to have got its name when Nicholas Creede exclaimed, “Holy Moses!” upon finding enough minerals to make him a very rich man.
At its height, North Creede held a large tent encampment, two schools, and a jail. The town’s popularity grew dramatically after a massive boom from the Wagon Wheel Gap railroad extension. North Creede continued to thrive until the price of silver dropped dramatically in 1893 when the Silver Purchasing Act was repealed.
Today, the forgotten site is surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest‘s land and can be found on the Bachelor Historic Loop.
Getting There
From Creede – Heading north from Creede, pass the Underground Mining Museum and take a right at the first fork into East Willow Canyon (East Willow Creek Rd). While most passenger cars can easily reach North Creede, low-gear, high-clearance vehicles are recommended for exploring the rest of the area.
Details
Nearby Towns: Creede
County: Mineral County
Roads: Unpaved, gravel, and dirt
Season: June – September