Historical Marker
The Hangin' Tree
Historical marker location:
17250 US 550, Montrose, Colorado
( Marker is on U.S. 550, 0.1 miles south of Chipeta Road, on the right when traveling north.)
August 9, 1878.
The Colorado Mineral Belt, which stretches from the San Juan Mountains in the south to Boulder in the north, is a rich source of gold, silver, copper, lead, and other minerals. The area was first mined by Native Americans, and later by Spanish explorers and prospectors during the Gold Rush. Today, the mining industry is still an important part of Colorado's economy.