Pittsburg, Colorado facts for kids

Pittsburg is a unique spot in Colorado that was once a busy mining town. It's found about 9 miles north of Crested Butte, Colorado, nestled in the mountains. Even though it's sometimes called a ghost town, none of the original buildings from its mining days are still standing.

The only cabins you see there today were built after 1973. These are mostly summer homes because it's very hard to reach Pittsburg by car during the winter.

What is Pittsburg?

Pittsburg was named to honor the industrial history of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This shows how important mining and industry were to the people who settled Pittsburg. A mountain nearby is even called Schuylkill Mountain. This name also comes from Pennsylvania, honoring the Schuylkill River.

A Look at Mining History

Pittsburg was a key location for several mining operations in the late 1800s. Miners would dig for valuable minerals in the mountains around the town.

Famous Mines of Pittsburg

Two important mines were connected to Pittsburg:

• The Pittsburg Mine was right nearby and helped the town grow.
• The Augusta Mine was much larger and more famous. It brought many miners and activity to the area.

These mines were a big part of why Pittsburg existed. They helped shape the history of mining in Colorado.