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AAA Colorado

Colorado Ghost Towns

Colorado, with its rich boom-and-bust mining history, has one of the highest concentrations of genuine ghost towns in the country — over 200 by many accounts. Most are the remains of settlements abandoned when the economic activity that supported them ended, or because of the impact a natural disaster. Following are a few examples of Colorado's ghost towns and the interesting stories associated with them.

Independence
- Teller County, east of Aspen

In the summer, this ghost town is one of the most accessible. Seasonal Colorado Highway 82 runs over Independence Pass and actually goes through the remains of the town. This ghost town is located 13.5 miles east of Aspen, but is only open about three months per year due to the heavy snow that starts accumulating in early autumn. Like most Colorado ghost towns, the community began as a gold mining operation in 1878 when gold was first discovered. Estimates say Independence housed more than 1,500 residents at one time. By 1888, gold production dropped off dramatically and only 100 citizens remained. According to the Aspen Historical Society, a major winter storm in 1899 caused the final evacuation of this community. The storm cut off supply routes and left the remaining miners without food. As a result the miners dismantled their homes to make 75 pairs of skis to evacuate to nearby Aspen. In good spirit, they made light of their evacuation by making it a race to the Hunter's Path Ski Club with the entry fee being one ham sandwich. Approximately nine structures remain in this ghost town, which boasts an elevation of nearly 11,000 feet.

Marble
- Gunnison County, near Crystal

This community is unlike many ghost towns because there are residents still living here. Marble is near the world-famous Crystal Mill, one of the most photographed objects in the state. Maybe even more impressive, the Lincoln Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are a few examples of famous structures erected from the marble quarried from what was once said to be the largest marble mine in the world. Marble sits on the headwaters of the Crystal River, 45 minutes south of Glenwood Springs. Along with touring the Crystal Mill, there are many old gold and silver mines, remnants of the Yule Marble finishing mill, and a variety of outdoor activities such as fly fishing, horseback riding, ice and rock climbing, Nordic skiing and hunting.

St. Elmo
- Chaffe County, west of Buena Vista

St Elmo Many veteran ghost town visitors have called St. Elmo the best-preserved ghost town in Colorado. St. Elmo was originally settled in 1878 as a mining camp and had around 2,000 residents at its peak. Today, there still are a few residents in the area. The well-preserved remaining structures include a general merchandise store, still operating from May through October, a church, and many other cabins and business structures. One of the more popular features of the town is an area referred to as Chipmunk Crossing. It consists of a ladder of old railroad ties and very friendly chipmunks that will climb on your shoulder and eat out of your hand if you give them the chipmunk food available for purchase at the general store. Local legend says the town is haunted by a former resident, Annabelle, who protects the property from vandals or trespassers.

Tin Cup
- Gunnison County, near Pitkin

Tin Cup The Old West has a reputation as an unruly place that had lots of drinking, gambling, street fighting, and other activities considered inappropriate today. Tin Cup (later Tincup) was a town that met all of those stereotypes as much as any other Colorado ghost town. Located 6 miles southeast of Taylor Reservoir, Tin Cup got its name sometime shortly after gold was first discovered in the area in 1860. When visiting the Tin Cup cemetery, notice the number of former sheriffs' headstones. According to legend, Tin Cup had 8 sheriffs, with 6 of them killed by non-law-abiding citizens. One died due to disease, and the last sheriff left town in fear for his life. By about 1900, nearly 2,000 resided in the town before the gold dried up and population dwindled. Today, there are still a few residents scattered in the area along with many old buildings showcasing the rowdy history of this community. Tin Cup is only available to tour by two-wheel drive in the summer and early autumn. Many visitors enjoy eating at a seasonal restaurant called Frenchy's that serves highly recommended homemade pies and juicy hamburgers.

Woodstock
- Gunnison County, near Pitkin

This southwestern ghost town met a tragic end on March 10, 1884, when an avalanche struck the town, burying 18 people and killing 13 of them, including 6 children from one family. The town had a population of about 200, but was never rebuilt after the tragedy. All that remains today in the area 40 miles northeast of Gunnison, are a stone foundation for a water tank, a few building foundations, and a sign describing the tragedy that ended the town's existence. Is the area haunted? You be the judge. The road to the town is accessible in the summer with a two-wheel drive vehicle, but closes following the first winter weather.

More information on Colorado ghost towns is available on the Internet at http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/co.html