Railroad Route – Highway 285

Between Bailey and Nathrop, south of Buena Vista, Colorado, this highway follows the old Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad (D&SPRR) route. Back in the day, this route passed through the historic community of Como, which was the hub for the D&SPRR, and the junction point of three main lines: from Denver to Como across Kenosha Pass; from Como to Leadville via Boreas and Fremont Passes; and from Como to Gunnison and beyond via Trout Creek Pass. This junction was invaluable for transferring ore and people during the Colorado mining era.

All these passes are high mountain pass routes with most elevations above 10,000 feet.

Kenosha Pass – 10,001’

Boreas Pass – 11,481’

Fremont Pass – 11,318’

Trout Creek Pass – 9,346’

Pioneer Route – Highway 285

Previous to the railroad era, the 285 route out of Denver to South Park, was a stagecoach route. It was popular with early pioneers looking to stake their claim in the gold and silver mines of that region.

Today, 285 out of Denver is still the major thoroughfare into South Park and continues on to Salida and south into New Mexico. It’s also a very scenic drive with several byways along the way.

South Park, Colorado

Perched high in the Colorado Rockies, South Park Colorado is a microcosm of Western history. From deep canyons to vast grasslands to snowy peaks and alpine meadows, this compelling basin is home to the nation’s highest incorporated town, gold mines, cattle ranches, and mountain passes. As one of only 49 National Heritage Areas in the United States, South Park offers a rare glimpse of pioneer life at high altitudes during the settlement of the American West.

This region is a landscape rich with heritage and attracts individuals who value Western authenticity. Some ranches have been operated for five generations by the same family. As they have for centuries, residents still depend on the land for their livelihood, recreation, and quality of life. As other places lose their inherent charm, South Park becomes a more engaging destination.

South Park Heritage

South Park boasts an array of nationally significant artifacts that reflect different aspects of this country’s heritage. The basin’s high peaks, clear streams, and copious wildlife embody the resources that sustained the native people and attracted settlers west. Hundreds of historic sites and structures still remain 150 years after the development of early mining, railroading, and ranching at 10,000 feet. Local events celebrate the lives of early pioneers in this area. Together, these resources and traditions evoke images of the struggle for prosperity that played out within the ring of mountains that define Colorado’s largest mountain park.

Park County Courthouse

Seven years after Fairplay became the county seat in 1867, the old Park County Courthouse was built of native sandstone in the Italianate style. Along with the adjacent stone jail, this building witnessed a parade of the famous, the notorious, and the ordinary. Known as the “hanging court,” decisions made here had a profound impact on Colorado case law. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it now serves as a public library and is one of 12 properties showcased in the Fairplay Historic Walking Tour brochure.

Boreas Pass Section House

Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the Boreas Pass Section House was built in 1882 to house railroad workers on the Denver, SP & Pacific Railroad Highline Route between Como and Breckenridge. Next to the Section House, the 1860s Wagon Cabin was built when this route was a mere wagon trail over the Continental Divide. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, these structures now serve as a visitor center and museum during summer and a backcountry ski hut during winter.

More About South Park Colorado

Perhaps you’re curious about the more modern attraction, the cartoon South Park. What does this area of Colorado have to do with the cartoon anyway? One can really only speculate on the subject. Perhaps these two places (one real, the other fictional) have nothing to do with one another. It’s just a mere coincidence that they bear similar names. However, it’s also possible that there’s more to it than mere coincidence. One similarity that stands out is that the historical South Park was outlandish, full of ironies and scandal. This is also true about the cartoon. Learn more about South Park, Fairplay, and Conifer, Colorado. Some interesting connections between them might satisfy your curiosity.

Location: Pine

Highway 285 Corridor – Historical Route

Colorado U.S. Route – Highway 285