The rich history of the town of Pitkin is visible everywhere you look, from the historic buildings downtown to mineshafts scattered over the surrounding mountains. The town, once home to 1,000 residents, was a hub of mining and commerce in the late 1800s. Pitkin lies at the western end of the Alpine Tunnel. The Alpine Tunnel was a railroad tunnel through the remote Rocky Mountains that briefly connected the Western Slope to the Front Range before it collapsed and was abandoned after just a few years. Today, the site of the tunnel is a popular attraction for railroad buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Towering mountain peaks create a picturesque background for charming historic churches, municipal buildings, hotels and homes.