Cañon City in Fremont County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway

Travel historic roads to riches

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

1. The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway Marker

Inscription. Drive the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway and follow the historic travel routes to the Cripple Creek Mining District, one of the world's wealthiest gold mining districts. Phantom Canyon Road follows the grade of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad (1894 to 1912), the first railroad to reach Cripple Creek's gold camps. Shelf Road provided a direct but harrowing journey for stagecoaches and freight wagons bound for Cripple Creek. High Park Road, traversing lush mountain grasslands, was well-traveled by cowboys and prospectors alike.

Drive the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byways
• Each part of the Byway offers unique scenery – rugged canyons, mountain parklands and ranches, and sweeping mountain views.
• For an adventurous back country driving experience, travel the Shelf Road or Phantom Canyon Road. Please note the travel restrictions and recommendations on the map.
• Explore two internationally significant fossil areas. The Garden Park Fossil Area just north of Cañon City and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument at the north end of the Byway.
• If you are traveling south, stop and enjoy Florence's

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historic downtown.
• The historic communities of Cripple Creek, Victor and Florissant lie along the northern part of the Byway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 38° 26.213′ N, 105° 14.671′ W. Marker is in Cañon City, Colorado, in Fremont County. It is on Royal Gorge Boulevard east of South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Veterans Park near the Cañon City Visitor's Center cabin. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Royal Gorge Boulevard, Canon City CO 81212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley

and in Pikes Peak Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway Marker on right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

2. The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway Marker on right.

Log cabin in photo #4 has been moved behind the Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center at 612 Royal Gorge Blvd.

are within walking distance of this marker: Bustling Center for Trade, Transportation, and Tourism (here, next to this marker); Lt. Zebulon Pike's Southwestern Expedition (here, next to this marker); Health, Wellness ~ Entertainment (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cañon City (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robison Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Filmed in Cañon (approx. 0.2 miles away); W. C. Catlin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Colorado Territorial Prison (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cañon City.

The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2020

3. The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway Marker Detail

Closeup of map

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2020

4. The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway Marker

Marker is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3, 4. submitted on July 21, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.