GC1GJRTSunset City
Type: Traditional
| Size: Regular
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By: Badger4007@
| Hide Date: 09/24/2008
| Status: Available
Country: United States
| State: Colorado Coordinates: N38° 24.783 W105° 25.149 | Last updated: 06/19/2022 | Fav points: 0
Located at mile mark 12.3 on Fremont County Road 28.Though never an actual established city (and consequently ghost town), Sunset City has never been officially recognized by the state or federal governments except as a site on a map. Along with East Sunset City down the road, they started out more as stage stops for travelers to eat and rest and tend to tired horses along the Copper Gulch Stage Line between Cañon City and Silver Cliff around 1879.
Within a few years there were about a dozen permanent buildings and a large tent camp. Because of the location, the setting sun bathed the dirty canvases of the tents and the sandy Copper Gulch in such a way that it lit up the valley in a golden glow, hence the naming. Historical records indicate that there were also a small cluster of graves “right beside the old stage road” but the area is prone to floods and no evidence remains of these markers.
When the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad built a narrow gauge track up Grape Creek, the wayside was no longer needed and faded away into history. Eventually, the Grape Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad ceased to exist as well with the onset of personally-owned automobiles and the building of highways, and there are still remnants of the track deep along that creek.
This area of the county remains as open range and free-grazing cattle are abundant on the road, so use caution. During rainy days, be advised of flash flooding and remember to immediately climb uphill if you find yourself caught in one.
01/27/2019 By Dean & Chris It would be nice to go back in time to see this place in its heyday. We loved the big trees at the site. The container was a bit exposed so we tried to hide it a bit better. Traded some swag and left a TB that wants to go to South America. Tftc.
12/15/2018 By YamaGypsy Today was a warm and sunny day so Lemonheadmafia and I headed out to do some exploring. Thanks for the history lesson! Sl, thanks!
08/07/2018 By PineCabin Love the history lesson in the description! Thanks.
Sunset City
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