Nathrop is an unincorporated town, a post office, and a census-designated place (CDP) located in and governed by Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. The population was 288 at the 2020 census.[3] The Nathrop post office has the ZIP code 81236.[4]

Nathrop, Colorado
An old school in Nathrop.
An old school in Nathrop.
Nathrop is located in Colorado
Nathrop
Nathrop
Location of the Nathrop CDP in the State of Colorado.
Coordinates: 38°44′55″N 106°04′35″W / 38.7487401°N 106.0764200°W / 38.7487401; -106.0764200 (Nathrop CDP, Colorado)[1]
Country United States
State Colorado
CountyChaffee County
Government
 • Typeunincorporated town
Area
 • Total0.723 sq mi (1.873 km2)
 • Land0.723 sq mi (1.873 km2)
 • Water0.000 sq mi (0.000 km2)
Elevation7,680 ft (2,341 m)
Population
 • Total288
 • Density400/sq mi (150/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP Code[4]
81236
Area code719
GNIS feature[2]Nathrop CDP

History edit

Nathrop was named for Charles Nachtrieb, owner of the townsite.[2][5] In 1880, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad built through Nathrop as part of their Tennessee Pass line. The tracks were placed out of service in 1997, but Union Pacific, present-day owner of the line, may reach an agreement to reopen it.

Geography edit

The Nathrop CDP has an area of 463 acres (1.873 km2), all land.[1]

Ruby Mountain edit

Ruby Mountain is a rhyolite outcrop located about one mile northeast of Nathrop. Small spessartite garnet crystals are found throughout the outcropping. Small pebbles of black obsidian referred to as "Apache tears" by collectors can also be found in the talus rock at the base of the cliffs.[6]

 
Spessartine-49374

Demographics edit

The United States Census Bureau defined the Nathrop CDP for the United States Census 2020.

Nathrop CDP, Colorado
YearPop.±%
2020288—    
Source: United States Census Bureau

Attractions edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "State of Colorado Census Designated Places - BAS20 - Data as of January 1, 2020". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Domestic Names". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  3. ^ a b United States Census Bureau. "Nathrop CDP, Colorado". Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Look Up a ZIP Code". United States Postal Service. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  5. ^ Dawson, John Frank (1954). Place names in Colorado: why 700 communities were so named, 150 of Spanish or Indian origin. Denver, CO: The J. Frank Dawson Publishing Co. p. 36.
  6. ^ "Salida Colorado Rockhounding and Mineral Collecting in the rocky mountains".

External links edit