After a fashion
Not in Creede, but along the Rio Grande.
I've always liked Creede, in large part because of its setting. Still a very small town, and county seat of a largely unpopulated county, nestled at the dramatic entrance of an interesting canyon. A historical if not always reputable past, still evident in some of the victorian brick buildings. Also some of the cute frame houses and log cabins.
The area has changed a lot over the last several decades. The larger valley through which the Rio Grande flows has seen a large influx of summer vacationers and their houses. Not only adding more people come summer to what was, and remains to an extent, a quiet, tranquil place. As far as the economy tourism has increased from the traditional fishing and hunting to supplant to some degree the closing of the mines.
At least I think they are all closed by now. Creede was a silver town, taking quite a shock in the Silver Panic of 1893. But a short drive up the canyon behind town will demonstrate a degree of the mining that existed and continued until fairly recently. I believe the mining complex above town is still visible; it used to have some lights on at night. If driving into Creede from South Fork one will notice the now abandoned rail road tracks paralleling the highway that serviced the mines.
Possibly because of the surrounding, primarily summer based, growth Creede has been going upscale of late. A few shops have sprung up that wouldn't be out of place in someplace such as Aspen, if not as richly opulent. Real estate prices have also surely reflected this trend.
If interested, it is certainly worth a visit. If interested, driving on through Lake City would be a pleasant, if long, excursion. If intending to live there, the challenge in securing a suitable income in a relatively small market.
Also be sure and check out the repertoire theatre which is often fun. Brings in young, aspiring and talented drama students every summer.
All in all, an out of the way place that is in many respects quite nice.
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Creede, Colorado
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