The town was aggressively promoted as the supply and commerce center of the Elk Mountain regions numerous mines and camps. Early communities were known as Dayton and Brownsville, but by 1869 the name Middle Boulder was being used. The silver crash of 1893 dealt the town a heavy blow, and it never fully recovered. Hidee Gold Mine Tour Cardinal may have started as a simple mining camp, but it gained notoriety as a center for saloons, gambling, and brothels for the Caribou district. In 1878 Telluride was established and would become one of the state's most important mining centers. A harsh winter drove residents away, but miners returned in droves the following spring, ballooning to an estimated population of 4,000. Colorado Getaways: Summer Fun in Mining Towns The town stretched over half a mile in Squaw Gulch. The Impossible Road: Incredible Photos of the Otto Mears Toll Road The post office closed and many of the miners at the camp moved on to new excitements, but Highland Mary remained an active camp for many decades. Ouray was settled in 1876 and competed with Silverton as the main supply hub for the rich Red Mountain district. The brick buildings replaced the original wooden structures that burned down June 5, 1892, in a fire that destroyed much of the business district. Pitkin, originally named Quartzville, was founded in 1879. Alpine Loop National Backcountry Byway, Colorado, Animas Forks Favorite on the Alpine Loop, The Alpine Tunnel An Engineering Marvel, Cripple Creek Worlds Greatest Gold Camp, Ghosts of Clear Creek Canyon(Beaver City, Vicksburg, Rockdale, Winfield), Nevadaville Another Gilpin County Ghost Town, Red Mountain Town Queen of the District, Virginia Dale Overland Trail Ghost Town. Colorado is home to approximately 1,500-recorded historic old west town sites or ghost towns* with storied pasts of mining riches, rowdy saloons and outlaw showdowns that bolstered and built the West. - Gilpin County Historical Society Museum, Central City, Strike it rich at casinos throughout Colorado >>, Check out our Colorado mine-tours listings >>. The mines at Vulcan were the most productive in the belt, and Vulcan rapidly developed into a town of around 500 people. Chattanooga also became an important transportation hub for the mines and other towns of the district. A dynamic version of this map can be viewed on our Mining Towns page. Local lore claims Evalyn Walsh, mining heiress and owner of the Hope Diamond, penned her autobiography in this town. Old Mining Towns Of Colorado. Numerous smaller camps, some of them company towns like Camp Bird, Smuggler, and Tomboy, were built at . This was the one of the states richest silver mining districts, and in the early 1890s, Aspen even surpassed Leadville as the nations top silver producer. Northeast of the Gunnison/Crested Butte area is one of the largest collections of remaining buildings of any ghost town in the state. Tungsten was one of the many towns that came to prominence during the World War I tungsten boom in Boulder County. Tomboy had many amenities for its hundreds of employees including a YMCA with a bowling alley and tennis courts, and a club that held dances attended by Tomboy residents as well as residents from Telluride and surrounding mines. Consider hiring a guide: If you want to learn more about the history of the ghost town and its significance, consider hiring a guide. Numerous smaller camps, some of them company towns like Camp Bird, Smuggler, and Tomboy, were built at high altitude and in seemingly impossible terrain. It wasnt until 1899 that the town of Marble was incorporated. 8989 The Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety's AUGER map provides information on active and historic mines in Colorado. 7320 The post office closed in 1881, indicating that Niegoldstowns peak activity only lasted a few years. A community formed at Eureka in the early 1870s, primarily as a result of the discovery and development of the Sunnyside mine. Normal.dotm Today Nevadaville has a few remaining buildings surrounded by mine ruins, and just six full time residents. *Atlas of Colorado Ghost Towns, by Leanne C. Boyd and H. Glenn Carson. 14 As the mines declined, the county seat was moved to nearby Westcliffe. Winfield, CO is an old mining town tucked away in the San Isabel National Forest, outside Buena Vista. Manhattan was the site of a small gold excitement following discoveries in 1886. The town was prosperous in the 1880s. You will receive an email to confirm your address. Many of these fortune seekers turned around once they saw what they were up against in Colorado expansive prairie followed by high mountains and the rugged wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine Tour Not until the mid-1870s did prospectors enter the area in numbers that allowed for permanent settlements. Salina peaked at around 350 residents, however the mines of Gold Run Gulch kept the town active for many decades. mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; The community would be reborn in the 1880s as Perigo, named after the rich Perigo lode. The mines closed in the 1950s and the town has transitioned to a popular tourist destination. The entire settlement of Corona existed in giant snowsheds, as the image above illustrates. By the mid-1870s prospectors had entered every corner of the state and new districts and towns were established in numerous locations. This 6-hour private driving tour includes time to visit and explore some of the most historic and haunted ghost towns in the state. Central City-Black Hawk Historic District | Articles | Colorado Photo by Jane Nearing via Flickr. Known as "The Richest Square Mile on Earth", the district became the economic center of Colorado for two decades. Capitol City was originally established with the name Galena in the fall of 1876. By the late 1860s, the original town was abandoned. Towns on the trail include Boulder , Black Hawk , Central City , Idaho Springs, Breckenridge , Fairplay , Alma, Como and Leadville. San Juan - In the Heart of the Mining Districts (1875 Newspaper) "In conclusion let me say this San Juan country is the greatest mineral section upon the face of the globe." This 1875 letter from a prospector traveling the early mining districts of the San Juan mountains of Colorado briefly describes some of the earliest towns of the area, and gives interesting insight into the mind of a . The Vicksburg Mining Camp was founded in 1867 due to gold found in the creek bed. This Colorado ghost town located north of Buena Vista was actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Red Mountain Town was the center of Colorados second richest silver district. Boggsville. Pitkin. Telluride was the hub of one of Colorados premier mining regions. Altman was one of many towns that formed around the rich mines of the Cripple Creek District. - Argo Gold Mine and Mill, Idaho Springs The great riches that flowed from Leadville mines would establish the city as Colorados most important mining center for many years. Guston was established among the rich mines of the area in 1883. for story ideas, news releases, image gallery, and other resources. Of note is how these cities survived after the rush, avoiding the fate of so many towns that disappeared once the boom passed. Media are invited to visit the ColoradoMedia Roomfor story ideas, news releases, image gallery, and other resources. A settlement was established here in the 1880s as a supply point for prospectors in the area but remained a small outpost until the late 1890s when sporadic shipments of marble started leaving the valley. The Mines and Minerals of Leadville Cripple Creeks economy was revitalized with the legalization of gambling in 1990. The location remained the site of active mining and the home of miners for decades however as mines like the Old Hundred built boarding houses for its miners. Fairplay never had a big mining excitement like other camps in the area, but its position in the center of district allowed it to prosper as a supply and transportation hub. Today Ouray is a vibrant and spectacular town that is popular with tourists year round. The Turret post office closed in 1939. Crested Butte was laid out in 1878 by Howard Smith, and was incorporated in 1880. By the 1950s just a few people still called Ophir home and by 1970 there was just a single remaining resident. Some of those camps were quickly abandoned, some became small towns that lasted a few years or even a few decades before becoming ghost towns, while others became great cities that still endure today. In the 1890s, the Geyser mine was the deepest mine in Colorado. Founded by Charles Osgood, Redstone embodied Osgoods grand vision: a model working-class town, scientifically engineered to promote contentment and well-being among laboring folk and their families. 11 Must-Visit Ghost Towns in Colorado - Trips To Discover Independence was one of numerous towns that formed around the rich mines of the Cripple Creek District. Today Silverton remains as one of the most historic and authentic mining towns in the United States. Gillette was a supply and transportation center for the Cripple Creek District. This is where some of the earliest and most substantial gold discoveries were made, and why many of the towns were founded in the first place. Sneffels was an important mining camp situated at above 10,600 feet in Ouray County, Colorado. Visitors can access Dearfield by driving along CO 34 east from Greeley for about 25 miles and will be directed via a marked sign. The town was founded in 1860 after gold discoveries in the area. Pandora started as a small mining settlement near Telluride. There are more towns that need to be added to the database, and this list will be updated periodically as updates are made. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! A second excitement in 1913 brought Platoro back to life, but was short-lived and the town was abandoned by the end of the decade. 9 Mining Tours in Colorado You Need to Experience - Trips To Discover Head south through town 12 miles on Colorado Highway 82 to Carbondale. Today, Red Cliff still has around 270 residents, about the same number that was counted during census reports in the late 1800s. The town was established in 1883 and grew quickly, with over 100 buildings constructed that first year. The main settlement was the lavish boarding house built for the miners. Precious stones glitter from its walls and stalactites hang heavy from ceilings in an immersive learning experience. The subsequent silver boom was one of the Wests most dramatic and important historical events. Rollinsville has been an active community for over 150 years and is one of Colorados oldest towns. Georgetown competed with Central City as Colorados most important mining center in the 1870s. Rollinsville was founded as a mining and transportation center. One of several dictionary definitions of a ghost town is a shadowy semblance of its former self.. About an hour west of Colorado Springs lies Cripple Creek, a historic mining town that perfectly captures the spirit of the western frontier that shaped the state of Colorado. Ultimately it was discovered that the black sands that were so difficult to separate from the placer gold was actually rich silver ore. The town quickly evolved into a major mining center with around 10,000 residents during the peak of the excitement. Some settlements were dedicated purely to milling or smelting the ore. - Western Museum of Mining & Industry, Colorado Springs Updated: May 19, 2023 Colorado's mining boom put the state on the map as one of the most lucrative places to be in the late 1800s. Country Boy Mine Tour An old vanadium and uranium mining town. Please click the link in that email to complete your subscription. Guffey was originally known as Freshwater and was incorporated in 1895. Promises of riches brought gold-starry-eyed workers in by the droves as newcomers quickly asse mbled towns near medal-laden landscapes on grassy meadows and rocky hillsides. The town peaked in the 1880s with around 400 people, but by 1900 the population was down to about one hundred. High above Telluride and below Imogene Pass sits Tomboy, where 900 residents once called home until the ore at the Tomboy Mine ran dry. At its peak, Crystal had two hotels, a barber shop, a general store, a saloon and a pool hall along with a population of around 500. The town originated as one of the most isolated of the major 19th century Colorado silver camps and was named for the nearby Lake San Cristobal. The two adjacent camps of Cornwall and Jasper were established at the base of Cornwall Mountain. High above Telluride and below Imogene Pass sits Tomboy, where 900 residents once called home until the ore at the Tomboy Mine ran dry. Graysill Mines, Colorado Ghost Town - near Durango | La Plata County In the late 1930s, one of the nations first ski resorts was built here. Gilman, Colorado - A Company Town - Legends of America Although the town was built by mining, it was the spectacular beauty of the area that gave Ouray long life as a tourist destination. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; The discovery of silver in 1880 lurched Ashcroft into its peak as a bustling mining camp. Dyersville, Colorado Ghost Town - near Breckenridge | Summit County - Hard Tack Mine, Lake City The founding fathers of Caribou were opposed to these activities in their town, so enterprising saloon owners and madams opened their businesses a couple miles away at Cardinal. In 1894 the town experienced a devastating fire in Februrary, was completely destroyed by a flood in June, and destroyed again by wildfire in November. After valuable minerals were discovered here in 1880, prospectors swarmed into the area, and the town of Bonanza was founded. San Luis Flickr/Madjag San Luis, the "Oldest Town in Colorado," was established on April 9, 1851 in Northern New Mexico territory by Taos-area settlers. Love Colorado? Most of these towns completely died when the ore played out, and the mines closed. Travelers will discover a beautifully restored community church, store and a number of private homes, all set against the picturesque backdrop of snow-capped peaks and grassy meadows. Animas Forks. Following many exciting silver discoveries, Gothic became a bustling silver camp during the first few years of the 1880s. Many towns were founded in this region during the early 1860s - many of the became ghost towns, but some became important cities that still stand today. Buckskin Joe was notable as the location that Horace Tabor operated a store before moving to Leadville, where he would become known as the Bonanza King, one of Colorados wealthiest mine owners. What is a Ghost Town? The discovery of silver in 1880 lurched Ashcroft into its peak as a bustling mining camp. There are many places I've been blessed to be able to visit and photograph. Silverton Colorado - Western Mining History Today, Georgetown is one of the best preserved Victorian-era mining towns in the West. After the silver crash of 1893, when many mining communities were destined to become ghost towns, C.L. For more information, visit, http://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-ghost-towns. table.MsoNormalTable Sitting on the side of Battle Mountain about 12 miles southeast of Avon, Colorado, is the old company town of Gilman. font-family:"Times New Roman"; It is no longer incorporated. Although it did have a post office, it was always a minor town and district, not quite living up to its name. This was another town in the crowded Gregory Gulch, formed after the 1859 gold discovery by John Gregory. 1892. Settled in 1860, Ward is one of Colorados oldest towns. Visitors are advised to reach Animas Forks, in the summer via a four-wheel drive vehicle or rent an ATV in nearby Lake City or Silverton. Ward is still an active town today and with a history spanning over 150 years, the town is one of the states oldest mining settlements. Why? A post office was established in 1878. Alma was the smelting center for the Mosquito mining district, one of the most prominent districts in the South Park area of Colorado. A few years later, lode gold mining was attempted and the district limped along for years in obscurity. Perigo was initially known as Gold Dirt in the 1860s. The interactive map shows: Active and inactive construction and hardrock mines with information on permitting, size, commodities, fees, land use, and more Coal permit boundaries Alluvial and bedrock aquifers Geology St. Elmo was settled in the 1870s and grew to be a town of over 2,000 residents. Accessible during the summer months, visitors will pass through the Social Tunnel, where single women and Tomboy Mine men would meet each other for social time. In the winter, it's a recreational paradise where visitors can sled, ski, or hop on a snowmobile. Central City was Settled in 1859 after gold discoveries by John Gregory. The sites of Carson and Old Carson are two seemingly undiscovered former mining towns. Many towns, such as Central City, Leadville, and Cripple Creek, were so successful they grew into large cities, some of which were larger than Denver at the time. It is also one of the most unusual settlements in the West. It is easily accessed via car, but visitors can also rent OHVs at the general store and make the trek to nearby Tin Cup, where the tales of this rowdy town linger in the town cemetery. The following overview mentions some of the most notable towns during this period, but many more historic Colorado mining towns can be explored through the links above, or on our map of western mining towns. Today the town has been almost completely transformed by the gambling industry, and while it has become a popular tourist area, many lament the loss of authentic mining town that was Black Hawk. Everything changed in the late 1870s as rich silver discoveries were made. Today it is a minor tourist town still containing historic buildings and artifacts. Grand County didnt have much historical mining activity, but it is included here for the purpose of adding the town of Corona to the list. That year, the entire town was purchased and converted to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory which still operates today. Colorado mines tell the stories of early explorers, fur trappers and prospectors who came here in search of treasure after hearing tales of rivers overflowing with gold rocks free for the taking! Follow Colorado onTwitter,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, Google+, Foursquare,Flickr, TumblrandYouTube. Aspen is now one of the worlds premier resort areas. Photo by Kathy Alexander. The area around Nederland was occupied by homesteaders in the 1860s. Placerville was a sleepy gold placer mining village until vanadium deposits were developed just after 1900. Although prospectors entered the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado as early as 1861, the isolation and ruggedness of the area, combined with the ever-present danger of conflicts with the Ute tribes, resulted in the region being developed very slowly at first. Ultimate Guide to Mountain Towns in Colorado | Insider Families An under-the-radar Colorado town appeared on the list, and it's Silverton! Sunset was an important junction on the railroad that serviced Boulder County mining towns. Today Russell Gulch is still home to a handful of people and some historic buildings remain. By the early 1880s, it was a prosperous and growing town, owing its success to the many productive mines in the area. Most of these were established during the Indian Wars of the Old West and were abandoned when there was no longer a need. Named after the first woman to strike gold in Colorado, this 1,000-foot-deep tunnel in Cripple Creek is Americas only vertical mineshaft. Smuggler was the company town built at the Smuggler-Union mine, one of the chief producers of the Telluride district. Congress had a post office 1883-1884. Victor was known as the Cripple Creek districts City of Mines. The name was changed to Capitol City in 1877 as part of George S. Lees grand scheme to transform the young camp into the state capitol. History It was named after Methodist minister John Lewis Dyer. As mining waned, Telluride redefined itself as a ski town. Much later, in 1891, gold was discovered in the mountains west of Colorado Springs. The town was built around two large ore mills that serviced the mines of the Cripple Creek District. Today the town of Crestone has around 150 residents, with many more people living in the area south of town that is a housing development and spiritual center. 23 Abandoned Places In Colorado [MAP] - Urbex Underground The town went on to be a major transportation center and mining hub for the mines of Clear Creek County. Mining continued here for a century but by the late 1970s most mines had shut down. Old Mining Towns Of Colorado | Nature Photography Naturally Ghost Towns of the Rockies Private Tour There's no better way to explore some of Colorado's Old West Gold Rush towns than on this private tour through the Rockies. East of Greeley in northeast Colorado, the only all-black settlement was home to more than 700 African Americans in the early 1900s. The mines in the area were rich producers for many years. Ashcroft. Breckenridge has been an active town for more than 160 years, and is now a major resort and tourist area. Taking souvenirs is strictly prohibited; however you may take all the photos you like! Located south of Lake City, Carson is one of the best-preserved Ghost Towns in Colorado. A 40-year-old coffee-table book called "Little Book Cliff Railway" details how Carpenter arrived in Grand Junction during the early 1880s and started a bank. Summitville is now the location of an E.P.A. At its peak in 1875, the town's population was estimated to be about 3,000 people. There are several which continue to display remains or reconstructions. Together, they make Victor one of the best remaining Old West towns of Colorado. Nestled along the hairpin turns of the stunning Independence Pass that connects Aspen and Leadville, Independence was formed after gold was discovered at the head of Roaring Fork River in the early 1880s. Ultimately the town was abandoned and covered by the tailings of the nearby Climax mine. Copper Rock Former mining town in Colorado named one of the Best Historic Small Many of the abandoned buildings are unsafe to enter, and many are privately owned or protected by a local or state historical society. Settled after ore discoveries in the late 1870s, Sherman had its heyday in the 1880s. 8 Ghost Towns in Colorado with Abandoned Gold & Silver Mines Howardsville, Colorado 1870s. Dearfield represents the national Black American colonization movement established for promoting self-sufficiency and land ownership. You will receive an email to confirm your address. St. Elmo and Tin Cup. Boggsville was also made famous as the last home to famed frontiersman Kit Carson. La Plata, or La Plata City, had a brief period of prosperity in the 1880s, after which it seems the town held on for at least several decades but a complete history of the settlement is difficult to piece together. Cripple Creek. Visitors are advised to reach Animas Forks, in the summer via a four-wheel drive vehicle or rent an ATV in nearby Lake City or Silverton. Camp Bird was the location of the spectacular mine of the same name, one of Colorados richest producers. These include towns like Leadville, Breckenridge, and Idaho Springs. Irwin was settled after rich silver ore was discovered in the fall of 1879. The sites of Carson and Old Carson are two seemingly undiscovered former mining towns. mso-para-margin:0in; The last of the great mills closed in the late 1970s, and today Pandora is a ghost town with little left but the shuttered mill. The early smelters built at Black Hawk were instrumental in transitioning Colorado mines from placer to successful lode operations. Download or print a map of the area in case you dont have cell phone reception in more remote towns. Dunton was a remote mining camp that never had a rail connection closer than 9 miles away. Today, Creede is a tourist destination, including restaurants, hotels, and year round activities. Silverton, Co Silverton Best Places to Stay Set on the southern side of the San Juan Mountains, Silverton can be found along the famous "Million Dollar Highway," known for its steep cliffs, narrow lanes and lack of guardrails as well as million-dollar views. Status: Near Ghost Town (staff of a research station live here seasonally). Colorado was first explored and settled entirely for the purpose of mining. The rich deposits here played out in a few years, and by 1866 the town was abandoned. Kokomo was a major boom town, with around 10,000 residents in 1881. A Pioneer Road Trip Through Southwest Colorado in 1878, Best Historical Photos: Colorado Mining Scenes, The Impossible Road: Incredible Photos of the Otto Mears Toll Road, Cripple Creek - An Accurate Account of the First Discovery of Gold, Where To Find Gold: The Top Ten US Counties, Home Sweet Home Miners Cabins of the Frontier West. Sunnyside Mine in Eureka, Colorado Mitch Zeissler/Creative Commons The early history of Nevadaville is much the same as Black Hawk and Central City. The town was situated at the highest point in the district and covered most of the hill. There are several Jeep tours that can provide you with valuable information and take you to areas that you may not be able to access on your own. Details of the town of Tungsten are difficult to find. Respect the site: Remember that youre visiting a historical site. For a town in such a prominent location among leading mines, it never became a great city like Leadville or Georgetown, likely due to its difficult location and extremely high elevation. Gilman is an abandoned mining town in southeastern Eagle County, Colorado, United States.The U.S. Post Office at Minturn (ZIP Code 81645) now serves Gilman postal addresses.. Settled in 1860, Buckskin Joe was one of the states oldest mining camps. The settlement was mostly abandoned by 1865 as the placer gold ran out. Its position at the base of Rollins Pass kept the town alive when many other camps faded away. Interactive map of mines in Colorado | American Geosciences Institute
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