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Please add profiles of those who were born, lived or died in Custer County, Colorado.
Official Website
Overview
Custer County was created by the Colorado legislature on March 9, 1877, out of the southern half of Fremont County. It was named in honor of Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who had died the previous year.
The county was the site of a silver rush during the 1870s. Thousands of men poured into the county during this time in the hunt for silver. Some of the notable mines include the Geyser Mine, the Bassick Mine and the Bull Domingo.
During the late 19th century a railroad line was connected through the Grape Creek Canyon but was permanently closed after a few disastrous floods.
After the mines were exhausted, the population dropped considerably and was replaced by cattle ranchers. An extensive system of irrigation ditches was built throughout the valley. Ranching in the Wet Mountain Valley continues to this day.
Adjacent Counties
Towns & Communities
- Cold Spring
- Colfax
- Fairview
- Galena
- Greenwood
- McKenzie Junction
- Querida
- Rosita
- San Isabel
- Silver Cliff
- Tanglewood Acres
- Ula
- Westcliffe (County Seat)
- Wetmore
Links
