“Then there was the whole concept of coal mining...the most dangerous occupation in the world, and which draws and develops a certain kind of man.”
Baldwin was always on the move. It seems that the town moved itself at least three times in its long history until finally deciding to stay put on the hill where it now lays resting. It also changed its name frequently. Throughout its time, it was known as Baldwin, and later Castleton. Then, in 1897 it changed its name again to Citizen when gold was discovered. After that, it changed its name yet again to Mount Carbon, in honor of nearby Carbon Peak which rises to over 12,000 feet. Finally the name reverted to and stuck with Baldwin.
Baldwin's gold strike never amounted to much. It was coal and cows that fueled the place. The Baldwin Mine (originally known as the Alpine Mine) was one of the best producing coal mines in Colorado. But nothing lasts forever, and as demand for coal began to wane in the early part of the twentieth century, Baldwinites began to move away. By 1946, the railroad dismantled its tracks, and Baldwin faded into history.
Like Ashcroft, and Arbourville, Baldwin had its hermit, the one man who refused to leave. His name was Joseph Berta, but locals called him Peanuts. He called himself the Mayor of Baldwin and lovingly protected the town until his death in 1967. At his request, Mayor Berta was buried in the town. His gravesite can still be seen.
Today, the site of Baldwin is well preserved, mostly because it was abandoned in the mid-twentieth century, and has been protected ever since. It sits on private land today. Should you choose to visit, always respect the rights of the landowners, and be sure to obtain permission.