Rosita, Colorado is a former silver mining town that’s currently home to a quiet rural community. Its name is Spanish for “little rose”, named for the wild roses that grew there.
There is one restaurant that operates in the former post office, the Letter Drop Inn. It’s a real gem, offering gourmet food in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
History
Rosita went from a quiet ranching community in the 1870s to a silver boom town of 1500 by 1878. There were numerous profitable mines around town, including Pocahontas and Humboldt.
It became the county seat, a position it took from Ula (now a ghost town) in 1878 and held until 1886 when Silver Cliff won it. In its heyday, it had several hotels, a saloon, a weekly newspaper, a cheese factory, and even one of the best breweries in the state.
The silver mines declined in town in the 1880s, slowly migrating people away. The U.S. Post Office closed in 1966. The 1958 movie Saddle the Winds used Rosita as a setting.
Today’s small population enjoys Rosita as a rural, residential community. Residents use Westcliffe as a mailing address.
Getting There
From Silver Cliffe, take Highway 95 5.5 mile east to County Road 341. Take a right, heading south for 2.2 miles, passing the ghost town of Querida. Continue for 2.1 miles on Tyndall St until you reach the townsite.
Nearby Towns:
County: Custer County
Season: Year-round
Roads: 2WD