Hardscrabble's rugged cliffs are perfect bighorn sheep habitat — wild, rocky, and open. Against the steep canyon walls, their brown coats blend into the vegetation and rocks. Scan the hillsides closely for their white rump patches or listen . . . — — Map (db m153186)
In 1844. Mathew Kinkead established the first American-owned cattle ranch tn the Rocky Mountains at the junction of the North and South Hardscrabble Creeks.
Even before Kinkead settled at the mouth of Hardscrabble Canyon, the canyon had been an . . . — — Map (db m153187) HM
Working in Underground Darkness In 1880, there were 350 mines in Silver Cliff and the surrounding area, including the deepest silver mine in Colorado, the Geyser Mine. Today, 587 people reside here, perched atop a tangle of mines and tunnels. . . . — — Map (db m282099) HM
Silver Cliff Mine was established after silver was found on a sheer cliff north of this side in 1878. By 1884 the mine, combined with other local mines produced nearly $5 million in silver and other metals, but production dropped sharply . . . — — Map (db m282100) HM
Originally Town Hall and Fire Station. Used 1879 to 1959 when it became the museum. Many top awards in Fire Team competitions were won. — — Map (db m282097) HM
The Arkansas River, South Park, Grape Creek, the wet mountain valley and crossed the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the winter of 1806-1807. Baroney Vasquez • Dr. John Robinson • Sgt. William Meek • Cpl. Jeremiah Jackson • John Brown • Jacob Carter . . . — — Map (db m282098) HM
This park is erected in honor of those of our community who served in World War II and in memory of the following men who made the Supreme Sacrifice Robert R. Burns • William G. Eakins • James W. Fee • Leroy H. Gilbert • Maurice F. Ireland • Glenn . . . — — Map (db m294334) WM
Mining and Ranching
For a time, the Wet Mountain Valley appeared destined for mining glory. Silver strikes at Rosita (about fifteen miles southeast of here) in 1872, Querida (about twelve miles southeast) in 1877, and Silver Cliff (six . . . — — Map (db m120228) HM
The Wolff Hotel built in 1887 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m294292) HM
Westcliff School Built in 1891 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m294213) HM
The long battle between colonial Spain and the Comanche people climaxed in 1779, when Juan Batista de Anza's army killed the great chief Cuerno Verde (Green Horn) southeast of here at the foot of Greenhorn Mountain. De Anza, the governor of New . . . — — Map (db m219465) HM
Much of this area's early history occurred on nearby trading posts and settlements, which lived and died leaving little trace of their existence. Such was the post built one mile west by Maurice Leduc in the 1830's and the village of Hardscrabble . . . — — Map (db m153183) HM
Alexander Barclay
Like so many early Colorado settlers, Alexander Barclay came here in search of fortune but found something else entirely. The British-born corset-maker arrived in 1836 and spent the next nineteen years chasing his dream. He . . . — — Map (db m154830) HM
Located at the merger of the mountains with the plains, today the Wetmore area reveals a remarkable record of the geologic past. Precambrian bedrock makes up the bulk of the Wet Mountains and its fractured and weathered rock serves as an . . . — — Map (db m294998) HM
The hard land bred people that had to be fiercely independent and also accept support from their neighbors. They cut ice, butchered cows and pigs, cut up elk, thrashed grain and harvested hay. Together they built foundations of stone. Barter was . . . — — Map (db m294993) HM
Wildlife is Part of Daily Life Custer County's diverse habitats support more than 275 bird species. Look for bighorn sheep, deer, black bear, pronghorn, coyotes, beaver, turkey and bobcats. Getting Through Winter When cold weather moved . . . — — Map (db m294991) HM
