An alphabetical list of folder titles in the denver public librarys western history photograph collection arranged by subject. The lindenmeier site in larimer county, colorado, is a folsom culture archaeological site with artifacts dating from approximately 8710 bce. Mining towns popped up by the dozen, but just as quickly found themselves abandoned as the politics of man and nature shifted. Victor, colorado the city of mines legends of america. This is an incomplete list of ghost towns in colorado, a state of the united states. Colorado s rich mining history is documented in archival, photographic, and artifact sources. Located in fairplay, colorado, the museum is an accurate representation of a mining town between 1860 and 1900. Denvers sandra dallas is one of colorados noted and gifted novelists.
A history of mining in arizona and california along the lower colorado great west and indian series, v. Guide to the colorado ghost towns and mining camps ohio. The map below is an overview of our online tour of fifteen of colorado s historic ghost towns and mining camps. The region that is today the state of colorado was first inhabited by native american people. Read more about colorado s historic mining towns and mine tours. Mining, colorado, rare books, western americana, antiquarian. Today, travelers can experience a mining train trip 3,000 feet into the bachelor syracuse mine in southwest colorado and see the prosperous, historic main streets of mining towns such as breckenridge, leadville and central city. I have study the moining history of colorado for many years and found this book to be the one i turned to most often. Sandra dallas, a reporter for business week for twentyfive years, is the author of colorado ghost towns and mining camps, no more than five in a bed also published by the university of oklahoma press, gaslights and gingerbread, many other books and articles on colorado and the west, and several bestselling novels. Arizona ghost town books ghost towns and history of the. While colorado was founded on gold and silver, coal mining became the states most significant. This is one of the best gudes to old colorado mining camps and towns that there is. Silverton and neighboring ghost towns colorado mining.
The tours are broken into five regions click on each region of the map to zoom in, or select a specific tour from the menu to the left. After reading this book i feel even more grateful to be born in this era of time when walking through 3 or 4 feet of snow to get on a recent trip to teluride, co i found a book written by harriet fish backus. The pikes peak gold rush brought unprecedented numbers of people into the region and that in turn led to powerful social, economic, and political changes that brought about the creation of colorado territory in 1861, culminating in the. Colorado ghost towns and mining camps by sandra dallas, 1985 this publication contains many excellent stories about the ghost towns and mining camps covered, which are many. Mining towns of southern colorado gives an intimate glimpse into the lives of these pioneer mining families. Guide to the colorado ghost towns and mining camps 9780804001403 by eberhart, perry and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. See how the mining equipment worked, spot gold and silver veins, do some of your own gold panning and learn about colorado mining. Jun 04, 2014 mining sources in the western history genealogy department include photographs, manuscripts, prospectuses, maps, magazines, and directories. People, states, towns and countries, general subjects, railroad companies, denver and miscellaneous visual materials.
Telluride history the town of telluride, nestled in a box canyon surrounded by,000 ft peaks, is filled with colorful legends, over a century of rich history, and certainly rocky mountain spirit. If you like stories about old lost gold mines, lost and buried treasures or old ghost towns, youve come to the right place. During the late 19th century, gold fever roared through colorado like wildfire, and mining camps and towns were literally born overnight. I found her history of living in mining towns during the early 1900s to be fascinating. While cripple creek, colorado is not a ghost town, it was one of the most important mining camps in colorado. The resources below are available at the hart research library. The subject heading of towns includes a list of colorado town, city, community and county clippings. Colorado division of reclamation, mining and safety. Mining towns of southern colorado images of america.
Hollister presents an expansive history and summary of the area and those who came to mine it. As early as the 1700s, the spanish were prospecting and mining for precious metals. There at least that many more that were established that have no remains to provide evidence that they ever existed. Arcadia publishing local and regional history books. Most of these towns completely died when the ore played out and the mines closed. Mining towns of southern colorado images of america series. I invite you to explore this fascinating cultural and industrial history by exploring western states and towns here at western mining history. Search our online library catalog for subject headings mines or mining for records of books, manuscript collections, maps, and serial titles. Rosita, colorado ghost town custer county ghost town. Colorado has a rich mining history, and many of the early mining towns that sprang up during the 1860s are still there today. The clipping files are a large collection of articles of local interest which have been gathered from a variety of newspapers. In this novel, dallas gives us the fictional colorado town of mingo. Mining in colorado douglas county libraries bibliocommons. The book contains an overview of what the ghost town tourist can expect to find at each site, and the writing is an engaging blend of history, anecdote, and.
The colorado guide to mountain ghost towns, mining camps, boomtowns, and historic sites. One hundred sixtytwo miles of narrow gauge track transported people and provisions through the harsh, beautiful, mountainous landscape to the bustling towns of telluride, durango, ouray a. Colorado mining history is a chronology of precious metal mining e. The town of gilman and larger scale operations were developed in the early 1880s. Before the town was even officially platted in 1893 it had already become known as the city of mines because the largest and richest gold. T he resource set includes additional sources to accompany the primary source set and lesson ideas to help extend lessons and further student understanding. The history of a silvermining town, 18791893 university press of. It contains maps and has a large list of references. Also, history of the first gold rush to the territory, mining and milling processes, development and conditions of the mines. The telluride national historic district just six blocks wide and twelve blocks long is a window into the towns illustrious past and a showcase. Rosita, colorado ghost town custer county ghost town near. Mar 04, 2020 meet manhattan, the northern colorado gold rush town youve never heard of.
The history of a silver mining town, 18791893 university press of colorado, 2000 coal people. He provides detailed specifics to location and quantities of minerals recovered. Excellent detail on mining in the colorado territory, which specifics on mines and mining companies in gilpin, clear creek, boulder, park, lake, and summit counties. Publications by state colorado page 3 mining books. Colorado mining towns colorado mining history in 1849 and 1850, several parties of gold seekers bound for the california gold rush panned small amounts of gold from various streams in the south platte river valley at the foot of the rocky mountains in then western kansas territory, now northeast colorado. A lively, candid account of everyday lowerclass life in mining towns by an extraordinary. Here are the 12 oldest towns in colorado and theyre loaded with history. The subject heading of towns includes a list of colorado town, city. Distributed by the university of nebraska press for caxton press settle into your fourwheeldrive vehicle or a chair and take off for the mining camps of colorado. Shop colorado history books and collectibles abebooks. These materials document the development of mining in the west. Mining was far and away the most significant industry in nineteenth and early twentiethcentury colorado and has remained important since that time. Long out of print we have acquired a few of these old books for you enjoyment. Distributed by the university of nebraska press for caxton press this is the third in robert browns series of picturesque guidebooks to another era.
Colorado mining towns colorado mining history in 1849 and 1850, several parties of gold seekers bound for the california gold rush panned small amounts of gold from various streams in the south platte river valley at the foot of the rocky mountains in then western kansas territory, now. In our librarys collection you can find a number of books and websites that tell the story of colorado s mining towns. Even though colorado is considered to be one of the newer states it was the 38th state admitted to the union, several of its towns are still chockfull of fascinating history, including. Ghost towns and history of the american old west,ghost. Using historical photographs, this book tells the story of mining in. There were numerous profitable mines around town, including pocahontas and humboldt. History of telluride telluride, co official website. The first permanent white settlers came for diverse reasons, but gold and silver served as magnets to the region. Lake city located in the silvery san juan mountains is one of the lesser known yet rich with history mining towns in colorado. History in the booming era of the late 1800s, the rio grande southern railroad was built to service the remote mining communities high in the san juan mountains of southwest colorado. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Erie, marshall, lafayette, louisville and other towns quickly became mining towns to serve the. Gilman is an abandoned mining town in eagle county, colorado founded in 1886 during the colorado silver boom.
Mines, mining and miners denver public library history. Abandoned mining town gilman in colorado abandoned spaces. Check out these popular mine tours for a look below the surface into colorado history. This list contains histories of different aspects of mining in colorado. Place names of colorado denver public library history. This quick history book was published back in 1973. Colorados rich mining history is documented in archival, photographic, and artifact sources.
This book should be read, if only for the stories, as it will provide an extensive appreciation of life and times in the. This book is an illustrated history of fiftynine towns famous during the gold and silver rushes of the 1800s, with directions on how to get to each. These towns were abandoned for different reasons, some due to mining or economic struggles, others due to natural forces like cold winters. It became the county seat, a position it took from ula now a ghost town in 1878 and held until 1886, when silver cliff won it. Mining in the pikes peak region was a tremendous influence in colorado springs history. The author a consulting mining geologist working in close association with the area shares his knowledge and history of the mines and towns in and around silverton colorado. Browse and buy a vast selection of colorado history books and collectibles on. Penned by local experts, each images of america book weaves the history of a community in stories and rare photos, from its beginnings to today. For the next 14 years aspens fortunes rose as it eventually produced 16th of the nations and 116th of the worlds silver. Many of those travelling west to california would have had their first experiences in the mines of colorado. Colorado ghost towns and mining camps is the first new book in more than twentyfive years to document these mountain communities.
The articles range in date from the early 1900s to the present. The coloradopast page has also been removed from facebook, and has been replaced by a facebook group please find us, join, and discuss colorado ghost towns. Avalanche tale envelops nine of towns children the. The history of early southwestern colorado mining, up to the ute removal in 1881, can be summarized by three basic stages.
The lives of women and children in colorados mining towns. Early mining in northeastern colorado national park service. Guide to the colorado ghost towns and mining camps perry eberhart on. Guide to the colorado ghost towns and mining camps. The 11 ghost towns on our list might be haunted by the past, but it isnt hard to find the beauty in these booms gone. The 11 ghost towns on our list might be haunted by the past, but it isnt hard to find the beauty in these booms gone bust. Colorado mining camps, ghost towns, boomtowns, mines. Scattered mining operations sprouted along battle mountain in 1879, which is the official year the colorado silver boom started. Rosita went from a quiet ranching community in the 1870s to a silver boom town of 1500 by 1878. Fortyfour authentic buildings filled with over 60,000 artifacts portray most of the economic and social aspects of boomtown life. The human history of colorado extends back more than 14,000 years. Perched on the side of battle mountain at nearly 10,000 feet elevation is victor, colorado, a village steeped in history.
Located just over engineer pass from the famous towns of silverton and ouray colorado. Former silver mining town is a class c ghost located 4. By the time grand junction was three years old, it had become apparent to its citizens that they needed a good coal supply if the town were to grow and prosper. Colorado ghost towns, mining camps, four wheel drive trips. Mining towns of southern colorado images of america staci comden. In the book, she talks about moving to this remote outpost, getting mail and other deliveries, changing homes and making friends in a mining camp. Lamours books have sold more than 300 million copies. Step right on to main street at any point in history, and be immersed in the wonder and unique flavor of life in your town, or any town in america. Due to incomplete records and legends that are now accepted as fact, no list will ever be complete. Colorado s gold rush brought humanity and hardship to these rocky mountains.
Our mission to protect the public, miners and the environment during current mining operations, restore abandoned mines, and to ensure that all mined land is reclaimed to beneficial use. Colorado is full of fascinating ghost towns located throughout the state, some of the best preserved around. The division is committed to balancing the need for mineral resource production with protection of the public, environment and colorado s natural resources. The utes remained until 1873 when the brunot treaty opened the san juans to settlement. Primary source analysis worksheets are available on the elementary primary source sets main page. South park cityis a remarkable restoration of these early towns, preserving the history of our nations frontier while it educates and entertains the present.
One of the more ambitious foreign undertakings in the early years of colorado s mining history occurred in boulder county, near the headwaters of boulder creek. Gold and silver mining laid the foundation for colorados economy. Click on the image or title for additional information and availability. Here is an alphabetical list of books about mining, prospecting, mines, miners, mining history, economic minerals, mining engineering, and some geological, geotechnical, and petroleum engineering, compiled by a science librarian, that are currently available. Colorados company towns, 18901930 colorado historical. Even though colorado is considered to be one of the newer states it was the 38th state admitted to the union, several of its towns are still chockfull of fascinating history, including these 12, which are a few of the oldest in the state. Silverton history in the summers ute indians hunted and lived in the silverton area before the first explorers, the spanish, arrived. During the late 19th century, gold fever roared through colorado like wildfire, and mining camps and towns.
Wanted to read a book to get some historical perspective on colorado mining. Early mining and transportation in southwestern colorado. Working long hours, often in cramped underground caverns, the workers emerged to families living in lonely mountain landscapes completely provisioned with company homes, stores, schools, and churches. The colorado gold rush, also known as the pikes peak gold rush, occurred in the late 1850s.
Throughout the early nineteenth century, explorers reported that they found gold in the regions streams and rivers. The lives of women and children in colorados mining towns resource set. Most colorado ghost towns were abandoned for the following reasons. Colorado ghost towns and mining camps by sandra dallas. The mining history of the western united states is an important part of overall us history and has left an enduring record in the numerous remote towns, victorian buildings, and mine structures. This is one of the towns featured in my newest book, ghost towns. Colorado has more than 600 ghost towns, most of which were mining towns, which are the most popular among visitors. Though many believe that a ghost town is a totally abandoned town, modern books and literature define them as any historical town or site that leaves evidence. In text and photographs he has captured the sense of the historic as well as the nostalgic of a new selection of ghost towns and mining camps that dot the back country byways and high mountain valleys of colorado. In 1886, prospectors returned from the hills west of fort collins with gold. Most of the early settlers are gone, leaving few persons with any oral tradition to pass on to future generations. Colorado mining history in 1849 and 1850, several parties of gold seekers bound for the california gold rush panned small amounts of gold from various streams in the south platte river valley at the foot of the rocky mountains in then western kansas territory, now northeast colorado. All denver public library locations and book drops are temporarily.
Filled with vintage buildings and gold mining structures, this semighost town is one of the most preserved mining camps in colorado. The book cliff mines were coal mines located near grand junction, colorado, united states. Colorado ghost towns and mining camps by sandra dallas book cover, description, publication history. City of influence by brian levine, a quick history. April 18th, 2014 posted by webmaster i love the history of the mining towns, and when i learned images of america didnt have a book on silverton, i wrote one. There are hundreds, or maybe even thousands of these kind of fables and tales about old mines and towns that sprung up out of nowhere. Aspen, the history of a silver mining town 1879 1893. You can explore the old buildings, go panning for gold, and explore the old mines that were responsible for bringing people to the state of colorado. See how the mining equipment worked, spot gold and silver veins, do some of your own gold panning and learn about colorado mining characters.
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