Busetti Ranch, San Isabel National Forest, Coal Creek, Colorado

Busetti’s Ranch is in the San Isabel National Forest near Coal Creek and Rockvale, Colorado. 

The story as I’ve heard over the years is that the cabin (house) was a mountain ranch owned by the Busetti Family. One brother worked in the Radiant Mine and the other stayed here taking care of the family, ranch and the cattle. The father also worked in the mines and the other young children were at the cabin. I have confirmed that the family name Busetti was associated with the cabin, but the story is simply what I’ve heard. 

Radiant was a mining district just outside of Coal Creek and Rockvale, Colorado. Established by the Victor American Fuel Company in 1903, Radiant was short-lived by producing coal at a rate of 800 tons per day while active. 

At its peak production era, the mine employed 125 Miners. Many of them lived nearby in the mining camp and about 80 permanent boarding houses were set up. The houses were later moved when the town closed. There was of course a saloon, schoolhouse and company store. A railway was installed to stem up to the mine from the Sante Fe line. In 1913 the bridge going up to the mine burned. This was during the miners strike and the strikers were suspected. A guard was killed while protecting the rails in 1914 during a raid. 

The name Radiant was then changed to Pyrolite when another post office with the name of Radium requested that the name be changed. 

The mine closed in 1929 and was used as a depression relief camp until the 30s. While used as a relief camp, loads of transients were brought in by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. Radiant (Pyrolite) was also known along that time as Kenwood, though it was never incorporated under any of those names. As Kenwood, transients would be sent in from Canon City, Florence, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver. The camp provided doctors, a school, and everything they would need. The camp housed 4 men and boys per room. They were free to come and go as they pleased and many were active in Baseball teams against the other nearby towns. The camp closed in 1937 after serving its purpose. 

This ranch was just up the road a few miles and tucked way back into a nice little valley. The abandoned cabin/house/sheds are not that old, but look to have been updated over the years also. Looks like some recent bracing repairs have been done to keep the cabin standing.

I used to come here with school friends and check things out. My husband would ride his motorcycle up and stay the night in the cabin back in the late 80s early 90s. The trail is now closed to all motor traffic and is hiking only. We’ve always loved going up that direction and roaming around the hillside above the cabin. The meadow just up the hill is steep but absolutely beautiful to spend an afternoon in. 

The hike up was not bad, but I don’t hike much so I am not the best judge. I love any time I can come up this valley and visit this place. We heard rumors as kids that there was another cabin up here, and my husband has even searched the adjoining mountains, but to no avail. Though I have speculation that another one could possibly be on Locke Mountain. But that’s just a dream I’ve had rolling in my head for 30 years.

The house and all the surrounding buildings are now on Forest land and part of a hiking trail. Locke Mountain Subdivision on the way up is the location of Radiant once was. Looking in that area on maps will show many of the old foundations, some can be seen from the road on the way up.