Marble / Upper Crystal River Valley

When you visualize Pure & Simple, think Marble. Considered the "abandoned wild child" of Gunnison County, Marble is the most remote community in the county yet its reputation is known world-wide.  Why?

Marble's rich heritage goes back to the late 1880s when discovered by surveyors coming from Crested Butte to mine for gold. Instead, they found a different treasure; the largest vein of pure, white marble in the world.  This tiny mountain town soon got the attention of Eastern investors and European immigrants.

By 1900, in unimaginable conditions, Italian miners were producing marble blocks turned into edifices for government buildings shipped to Denver and all over the United States. One of those blocks became the Tomb of the Unknowns, another became pillars for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Thus, tiny Marble has National Historic Sites on every corner; Mill Site Park-Colorado Yule Co.,  Marble City State Bank, Marble High School, Marble Community Church, Haxby House, Marble Town Hall, William Parry House.

Today's Marble is mostly a residential enclave at the base of the historic marble quarry, once again in operation by Italians.  It is the gateway to some of Colorado's most beautiful and unspoiled back-country.

Summertime in Marble-Crystal City is magnificent.  Check out the annual Marble/marble Symposium in July-August where you can watch carvers from all over the world camp along the Crystal River and turn a chunk of white stone into award-winning sculptures.  Partake in the excellent fly-fishing, hiking, horseback and jeep tours, or just stroll through town for the different venues of our annual Marble Music Fest, and shop for marble and other fine gifts in our local artist galleries.

Marble Winters are peaceful and piled high in snow, perfect for back-country skiing, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, ice skating, snowmobiling (rentals available), and extreme sledding. If you are looking for a real winter wonderland experience away from it all, this is it! Whether you stay a day or a week, the magic of Marble's natural beauty, stunning white marble everywhere and locals' friendliness will capture your heart.  Some families have been returning for over forty years!

After all, "Marble is as close to Heaven as you can get...without checking in!"