Downtown Creede

Antique cars along Creede's Main Street. Historic buildings and names from a bygone era mark the quaint seven-block downtown section of Creede’s famous silver mining era. The spectacular Pillars of Hercules, volcanic cliffs rising nearly a thousand feet at the edge of town, frame Creede’s array of shops, galleries, eateries, lodging, and sundry services. Simply viewing the old downtown area against this magnificent canyon backdrop makes a visit to Creede worthwhile in any season. A "Walking Tour" guidebook provides detailed information about Creede’s historic buildings and downtown district. Being the only community in Mineral County, Creede serves as the commercial and government center for residents and visitors. Both the Mineral County Courthouse and the Creede Town Hall are located on North Main Street. Rio Grande National Forest maintains the Creede Ranger Station on South Main Street.

Creede Cemetery

Fences of aged wrought iron and weathered wood commemorate the final resting places of generations of hard-working people who established this legendary silver mining town in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. At the south edge of Creede, turn off Hwy 149 to Lake City onto Bachelor Road. Drive about a half-mile up Bachelor Road and turn at the directional sign (Stop 15 on the Bachelor Historic Loop tour). Creede’s historic Catholic church stands as sentinel in front of the Creede Cemetery.

Creede Historical Society   •   Creede Historical Museum & Library

Historic Rio Grande Railroad Depot (behind Basham Park)
P.O. Box 608, Creede, CO 81130   •   719-658-2004
Open:  All year/Seasonal and by appointment
(Museum open daily, 10 AM-4 PM, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Research library open year-round, Tues & Thurs, 1 PM-4 PM.)
Non-Profit/Museum/Library:  (Meets 3rd Th, every month in May-Sept, Nov, Jan, & March) Housed in the Old Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot in downtown Creede next to Basham Park, the museum reflects the efforts of an active and dedicated local historical society. Creede’s first hand-drawn fire wagon, a horse-drawn hearse, early pioneer utensils, gambling equipment and devices, a large photo collection, early newspapers, and troves of memorabilia and other artifacts comprise the Creede Historical Society’s collections. The museum and library archives provide casual visitors, historians, and genealogical researchers with opportunities to examine the daily lives of the homesteaders, prospectors, miners, entrepreneurs, lawmen, and notorious characters who helped shape Creede/Mineral County’s colorful history.

Underground Mining Museum & Mining Tour

P.O. Box 432, Creede, CO 81130   •   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Museum:  One of Creede’s most popular attractions, the Underground Mining Museum comprises a series of rooms and tunnels blasted into the cliff face of Willow Creek Canyon at the north edge of town. Visitors receive a first hand taste of the miner’s subterranean experience through a series of demonstrations and exhibits in shafts bored specifically for that purpose. Exploring both early silver mining techniques and more recent technology, the Underground Mining Museum provides a fascinating insight into a very important part of western Americana. An exhibit hall with mineral and artifact displays provides a colorful prelude to tours guided by experienced hard rock miners. Self-guided CD tours are available anytime, and guided tours by appointment in summer. School tours are available in winter months.

Gift Shop:  Mineral and gemstones, mining and historic memorabilia, fun for the rock hound.

Bachelor Historic Tour

This 17-mile driving tour loops through Creede’s historic silver mining district and ghost towns. The tour’s first interpretive stop is just north of Creede in Willow Creek Canyon at the juncture of East and West Willow creeks. A passenger car can traverse the graded gravel road to the Equity Mine and then return to Creede via Bachelor Road (FS Road 504) and the old town site of Bachelor.
Guidebooks, keyed to numbered markers along the loop, are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, the Visitor Information Center, and various businesses. The 25-page guidebook with map costs $1.00. The loop road has some narrow stretches and steep grades that require caution. Check on road conditions during inclement weather. Several 4-wheel-drive roads lead off the tour route into less accessible terrain. Allow a minimum of 1 hour for the tour.