During the late 18th and early 19th century, Cañon City prospered as a trade and transportation center serving the region's agriculture and mining industries. From its earliest days, it attracted visitors seeking warm mineral springs, mild winters, and views of the Royal Gorge, once called "The Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River." In 1929, the world's highest suspension bridge was built across the gorge, improving access to this geologic feature and continuing to draw thousands of visitors each year. The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway follows historic travel routes to the Cripple Creek Mining District, one of the world's wealthiest gold mining districts. Phantom Canyon Road follows the grade of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad, which operated from 1894 to 1912 and was the first railroad to reach Cripple Creek's gold camps. Shelf Road offered a direct but difficult route for stagecoaches and freight wagons bound for Cripple Creek, while High Park Road crossed mountain grasslands traveled by cowboys and prospectors.