Nathrop was named for Charles Nachtrieb, owner of the townsite.[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.[citation needed]
Geography
The Nathrop CDP has an area of 463 acres (1.873 km2), all land.[1]
Ruby Mountain
Ruby Mountain is a rhyolite outcrop located about one mile northeast of Nathrop. Small spessartitegarnet 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]