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The Semi-Ghost Town of Montezuma

sfarson

New member
Montezuma, Colorado is a semi-ghost town about five miles west of the Keystone ski resort. It sprung to life in the 1860's after silver was discovered in the area of nearby Argentine Pass. By 1890 the population was up to 1,000 coinciding with the Colorado Silver Boom. Well, the population of Montezuma also coincided with the Colorado Silver Bust three years later in 1893, and since then the decline of the population and structure kind has continued. Five fires over the years have not helped with "historic preservation", but nevertheless some old buildings remain and can be viewed on a ride to this high 10,200ft. elev. place.

Here's a look east down Montezuma's main street in the late 1800's...
montezuma1then.jpg


And today with a population around 40-50. Note the similar snow patterns on the peak 120+ years later!
montezuma1now.jpg


Ride the horse through town and turn around looking west back then...
montezuma2then.jpg


And today...
montezuma2now.jpg


I did come across this 1940's image of one of the old hotels still standing...
montezuma3then.jpg


But it is no longer is standing today...
montezuma3now.jpg


Oh, at a pullout on the way to Montezuma. Eh, though not a long ride, not a bad journey to get there...
r1200gsadvmontezuma_hdr.jpg
 
Great shots again, Steve! And, surprise of surprises, the road seems to have improved over the years. :laugh
 
Hey Dan... Aren't you heading west soon!

Kevin, Thanks and BTW, where in NW Indiana are you from? Born and raised a Hoosier with a big chunk of the fam from the Rensselaer area.
 
Hey Dan... Aren't you heading west soon!

Kevin, Thanks and BTW, where in NW Indiana are you from? Born and raised a Hoosier with a big chunk of the fam from the Rensselaer area.

South Bend. We have ridden through Renssealaer a few times. Once we did the marshmallow festival if I am thinking of the right town. If fam is from the area are you Amish?
 
Kevin.... Not Amish, but on my mother's side who was from the area, 100% Dutch. Not sure if it is still the same there, like it is in Western Michigan (Holland, Zeeland, etc.).
 
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