Marble, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Town of Marble, Colorado
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Blocks of cut marble at the historic quarry in Marble
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Location of Marble in Gunnison County, Colorado.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Gunnison |
| Incorporated | 1899 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory Town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.36 sq mi (0.93 km2) |
| • Land | 0.36 sq mi (0.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 8,009 ft (2,441 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 133 |
| • Density | 369/sq mi (143.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
81623
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| Area code(s) | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-48555 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412952 |
The Town of Marble is a small town in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. It is known as a "Statutory Town," which means it follows certain rules set by the state. In 2020, about 133 people lived in Marble.
Contents
History of Marble
The Town of Marble officially became a town in 1899. It has been a statutory town in Colorado ever since.
The Famous Marble Quarry
The town of Marble gets its name from a historic Yule Marble quarry located nearby in the mountains. This quarry started operating in the late 1800s. The marble from this quarry is very special.
It has been used for important national monuments like the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was also used for parts of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.. Even big buildings in San Francisco and the Equitable Building, an early skyscraper in New York City, used Marble's stone.
The marble from this quarry is considered to be of amazing quality. Many people say it is one of the purest marbles ever found. It is almost entirely made of calcite, which gives it its beautiful white color.
After 2004, a company called Polycor bought the quarry. Later, an Italian company, R.E.D. Graniti S.p.A., took over. Even though it costs a lot to transport the marble, this high-quality stone is now sent all over the world. It goes to Europe and Asia to be shaped and used in many projects. It is also sold within the United States.
Fun for Visitors
In recent years, Marble has become a popular place for tourists, especially in the summer. It is also the way to get to the nearby historic townsite of Crystal.
Every summer since 1988, Marble hosts the Marble/marble sculpting symposium. This is an event where artists come to create sculptures using the local marble.
Seven important places in Marble are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical importance.
- William D. Parry House
- St. Paul's Church
- Marble Mill Site
- Marble Town Hall
Geography of Marble
The town of Marble is located in a valley along the Crystal River. It is surrounded by the Elk Mountains. You can reach the town by a paved road from State Highway 133.
Marble is on the north side of Schofield Pass. This pass is hard for most cars to cross. Because of this, Marble is somewhat separated from the rest of Gunnison County. The town covers about 0.93 square kilometers (0.36 square miles) of land.
Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 101 | — | |
| 1910 | 782 | 674.3% | |
| 1920 | 81 | −89.6% | |
| 1930 | 217 | 167.9% | |
| 1940 | 240 | 10.6% | |
| 1950 | 8 | −96.7% | |
| 1960 | 5 | −37.5% | |
| 1970 | 13 | 160.0% | |
| 1980 | 30 | 130.8% | |
| 1990 | 64 | 113.3% | |
| 2000 | 105 | 64.1% | |
| 2010 | 131 | 24.8% | |
| 2020 | 133 | 1.5% | |
The number of people living in Marble has changed a lot over the years. In 1910, the town had its largest population with 782 residents. This was likely during the peak of the quarry's operations. By 1950, the population had dropped to just 8 people. Since then, it has slowly grown again, reaching 133 residents in 2020.
Education in Marble
Marble Charter School (MCS) is a public school in Marble. It is free to attend. The school teaches students from kindergarten through 8th grade. It serves children living in the Crystal River Valley area.
See also
In Spanish: Marble (Colorado) para niños
