Some would even consider it the creepiest abandoned town in Colorado! By Molly Martin. Like most abandoned mining towns, Saint Elmos population left when the mining industry collapsed. These mills sites in some cases still contain concentrations of toxic materials such as heavy metals, and in some cases radioactive materials from the milling of radium. Like all gold towns, Wall Street went bearish on the prospects of new gold in the area, and eventually, workers migrated elsewhere. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'urbexunderground_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-leader-2-0'); Like many abandoned places in Colorado, Ironton was a mining town that rose just as fast as it fell. Ghost towns dot the western states because of the mining and railroad history in that part of the country. 0 Hotel Boulderado About: Visitors may stumble upon this ghost town in Boulder County, Co., where the Mining Camp Delphi once operated in the late 1800s. Winfield Stratton fittingly named the site after the day he claimed it, July 4th. (via Wikimedia). The town had over 20 saloons, which was even a lot back in those days. But alas, it is not. In order to move from building to building, residents had to dig tunnels out of the snow. About: The Argo Tunnel, just under 5 miles long, used to provide access to the mines from 1893 to 1943. Sign-up takes just 45 secondsthe same amount of time it will take the ghosts of the 19th century Gold Camp railway workers to chase you shrieking back to Colorado Springs. Your email address will not be published. Welcome to Wall Street. This early 1900s hotel building is said to be haunted and Rooms 302 and 304 as the most so. These abandoned places in Colorado are beautiful but extremely dangerous. But some abandoned buildings are open for public use. In these rooms witnesses have seen apparitions and have experienced electrical disturbances and disembodied voices. Steelworks has announced a $12 million effort to clean up, redevelop and renovate the former administrative building for an expansion of the museum. but was replaced by a steel structure that still stands. There are many documented accounts of vigilant silo property owners sabotaging vehicles, calling the police, and holding trespassers at gunpoint. Leadville however prospered for quite some time. A sudden and precipitous drop in silver prices led to the silver crash of 1893, when many silver mines were idled or abandoned and roughly 9 in 10 miners in the area lost their livelihoods. There are plenty of places I kept off this list so get out there and explore. The town even had running water and electricity in some buildings, which was uncommon for boomtowns at the time. Approximately 160 people are in residence there during the summer field season. Rumor has it access to some of the abandoned mines is still possible. The mine adjacent to the Argo tunnel would have been shut soon anywaythe Federal Government closed all gold mining operations to concentrate on metals that would help the war effort. In the post-World War II era, community leaders realized that mining could not sustain the regional economy indefinitely, so they invested in tourism and other industries that remain profitable today. (via Wikimedia), "Eastonville was a town in eastern Colorado from c.1880-1935. They hit it big and found large amounts of silver in the area. However, always explore these abandoned locations and buildings with caution. The mine was the second largest silver producer in the entire state, but that didnt stop the residents from leaving when the ore veins disappeared. when a deadly accident closed the mine for good. According to experts, the property was assessed at $3.2 million but would require roughly $15.7 million to complete necessary renovations. Animas Forks was founded in 1873 and quickly blossomed into a thriving mining community roughly 12 miles from the town of Silverton. A few buildings remain standing as a testament to the town's past." Crystal Mill (Marble) JahnyBravo / Wikipedia. There are plenty of interesting abandoned places in Colorado many more than the ones weve already mentioned! This picturesque mill was built in 1893 to generate power for the Sheep Mountain Mining Company, which ran the silver mines in the area. During World War II, the plant was used to produce shell casings, and the site was so critical to the war effort that it was quickly restored after a devastating fire ravaged the building in 1942. Charles Caryl, originally from New York, bought much of the land and changed the name to Wall Street. Theres the spooky Argo Tunnel, which was built in 1892 and abandoned in the 1940s when a deadly accident claimed the lives of four miners. in 1871, Dutch investors purchased the mine for $3 million, only to find that all the ore was gone. Nearly everything in Gothic is abandoned, making this place a bonafide ghost town. You can imagine the dance hall full of residents enjoying a Saturday night in town. However, by the 1910s, the areas gold and silver mines were in decline, and in 1922, the railroad stopped servicing St. Elmo. The mine and Argo tunnel never reopened. Of all the abandoned places in Colorado, Ironton is one of the most accessible as its right off the main highway. The ghost town of Ashcroft is located about 10 miles from Aspin, is one of the easier ghost towns to reach by car. Several of its original structures are still standing and open to the public, drawing thousands of visitors annually traveling the 65-mile Alpine Loop between Lake City, Ouray and Silverton. More from Medium Mark Schaefer 20. The group established the Valmont Railroad Museum on a section of unused track that it leased from Union Pacific. While the school hangs in the balance, this creates an opportunity for photographers to photography it and explore it, and explore it in its decayed state. Live Out Your Medieval Dreams by Visiting These Castles in Colorado, correspondents for the RV Show USA radio show. A fifth miner noticed the lights suddenly shut off and the impending sound of water rushing through the tunnelhe barely made it out alive. However, the society appears to have disbanded, and though all of the abandoned cars are marked as property of the Museum of Railway Workers, very littleif anyactivity appears to have taken place on the site in years. Now, Denver Public Schools is weighing its options for the facility, which include renovating it for use as an early childhood education center; accepting a bid from the Archdiocese of Denver, which wants to reopen the building as a private high school; selling the property to a private developer; renovating it for lease to a third party; or doing nothing and allowing the building to remain vacant. The community is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the St. Elmo Historic District. Watch your footing as you traverse the beams and metal walkways inside, as some panels have been removed or have simply disintegrated over time, making it easy to slip and fall into the stagnant, fuel-filled water that has collected at the bottom of the silo. The mill was abandoned in 1917 after the silver mine closed down. It was initially built as part of a railroad in the 1880s, eventually becoming a toll road for cars and then a public road. We know it's tempting to take a piece of abandoned Colorado home with you, but please dontthis is disrespectful and can make locations inhospitable to future visitors. With no electrical power or exposure to natural light, the tunnels and rooms inside the silo are pitch-black, so explorers will need to bring reliable light sources in order to navigate the treacherous passageways, many of which are covered in colorful graffiti. Boulder CO 80306. aboutboulderadmin October 29th, 2022 . Other mills were located closer to the mines. Below are my 23 favorite abandoned places in our most beautiful state. The residential houses were all transported to the West Park subdivision of Leadville, Colorado, before 1965, leaving only the mining buildings standing." Though Leadville is no longer known for its rich stores of minerals, visitors to the area can still peek into the past at the site of an abandoned silver mine just east of the town limits. In 1859, the town built a masonic lodge, which still meets today. Published on 10/15/2015 at 12:05 AM. You can visit Irontons ghostly remains todayit sits right off the gorgeous Million Dollar Highway, south of the town of, and had a saloon (of course), post office, general store, and hotel., Life in Animus Forks was hard. If you couldnt tell from this list already, there are tons of abandoned mines across Colorado. Caribou was both a silver mine and a town but is now quietly crumbling in the remote wilderness in Boulder County. You might not even realize whats sitting in your backyard. People claim to see a young girl in white or feel cold spots when walking past. Flickr/Max and Dee Bernt. Im borrowing my roommate's car for the weekend while shes out of town but I cant figure out how to open the gas tank to refuel. If youre looking to explore abandoned places in Colorado, I got you covered. It was initially built as part of a railroad in the 1880s, eventually becoming a toll road for cars and then a public road. Of course, if you wanted to see this marvel it would cost you a small fee. Mapping haunted data and happy place: Creative geographic visualization . Mining, speculation and processing mills helped Animas Forks grow." The owners at the time boasted that from the top of the tower you could see six neighboring states. The town was settled after a prospector discovered gold flakes downstream in 1861. If youre having trouble finding abandoned places, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Finding Abandoned Places, or explore abandoned places near you. During its peak, about 100 people called Ramah home. If you like creepy, run-down places, youll find plenty in the Rocky Mountain State. there go towards the back, many spooky buildings, even in the day. Get notified of the best destinations for your road trip. After his death in 1911, Goodell continued living in the mansion for another six years, until eventually selling it to Albert E. Humphreys in 1917. From haunted mines to eerie ghost towns to an empty 65-foot tower, youll have plenty of sights to see in the Rocky Mountain State. It's by far the spookiest and most popular with urban explorers, though, and is well worth a mention. The former town limits now reside in El Paso County, in the Colorado Springs metro area, near Black Forest." 1. All in all, this is an awesome example of great abandoned places in Colorado. The library reopened Jan. 9, but bathrooms will remain closed off to visitors. The costly process of repairing and restoring the structure will include replacing the roof and gutters, and the group is also laying new track for displaying vintage rail cars, and thus far has acquired an original Rock Island caboose, a passenger car and a flatcar. The community expanded further in the 1930s and 1940s when rock quarries were developed on the sides of the butte and a mill was built for processing the gold ore and fluorspar extracted from the mountain. (via Photographer Matt Santomarco) One of the most sought-after abandoned places in Colorado, the Crystal Mill is a must-see when exploring the state. The opposing forces traded bullets throughout the day, but when darkness fell that evening, the National Guard set a fire that quickly consumed the encampment. Location: Off Rangeview Road in Cripple Creek, Colorado. This house is certainly pre-World War 2. Still, the collapsed tunnels did require the rural roadway to be rerouted, and menacing black steel fences adorned with warning signs now surround these hazardous areas. If abandoned towns really turn you on then well Climax Colorado will make you Nevermind. In 1879, a fire destroyed much of the town, and only a few dozen people remained. (via Wikimedia), "Crystal is a ghost town in a valley on the upper Crystal River in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States, on a four-wheel-drive road between Marble and Crested Butte. While it may sound like a tall tale, it was confirmed that the tower was constructed on one of the highest points between New York and Denver. It is no longer incorporated. Within a few years, the town had grown to include more than 30 cabins, a hotel, a general store, a post office and a saloon serving around 450 residents. After a major renovation was completed in the early 1990s, Hercules Industries moved into the historic building, where it continues to manufacture heating and air conditioning equipment. Left behind are many abandoned mines, tunnels, and townsthe ghostly remnants of communities long lost to time. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Possibly one of the strangest abandoned places in Colorado is the Wonder View Tower in the small town of Genoa. 39.67443, -104.98452if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'urbexunderground_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_14',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); Rosedale Elementry was built in 1924 and ultimately closed due to financial troubles and low enrollment in 2005. the town had more amenities than most, featuring a church, three saloons, and a brewery. And you can visit for free. On that day, the militias onsite fired shots into the tent city, and the miners responded in kind. However, this one of only two buildings that remain standing today." Many buildings still stand in Crystal, but its few residents live there only in the summer." Like many mines out west, Independence Mine opened in 1891 during the gold in the midst of the great gold rush in the United States. We're Jason and Rae Miller the founders of, The Creepiest Abandoned Places in Colorado. Its no wonder some feel uncomfortable walking on the Independence Mine property. The Englewood Public Library in Colorado said it shut its doors last Wednesday after tests showed exhaust vents reflected meth contamination "with levels above state thresholds." This comes just . Beyond that. At that time the town contained 30 cabins, a hotel, a general store, a saloon, and a post office. Crystal Mill would likely be completely gone if it hadnt been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Not recommended for non-veteran explorers. (via Photographer cooper.gary) Ironton essentially died with him. The schools remain in excellent condition despite being vacant for all these years. I was super shocked! Jackson M. you visit. If there are any haunted places in Colorado, theres no way the above-mentioned site of the Ludlow Massacre isnt packing a few ghosts and there are plenty more to consider as well. According to folklore, two tunnels are allegedly haunted which Im not sure. Though it rarely gets more than a passing mentionif thatin the history books, the Ludlow Massacre remains one of the most violent and tragic events in the American labor movement. Plus, its a location where at least five miners lost their lives. When the sun rose the next day, more than two dozen civilians had lost their lives, including two women and 11 children who had taken shelter in an underground cellar. 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