It's a winding dirt road, that climbs west out of town, along Henson Creek . A short three and a half miles up, and you will arrive at what was the first, and largest mine in this county. Four guys were prospecting here, and started mining early in the 1870's .. Actually they were trespassing . For it was before the 1874 Bruno Treaty with the Ute Indians; which deeded the land around here to the U. S. Government. Folklore has it that the eager miners decided to name the mine after Chief Ouray (Chief of the Ute Indians)....hoping to appease him. Problem was, they couldn't spell, and named the mine Ute-Ulay.
The ghost town that is alongside of the mine, was the community of Henson. There are a lot of no trespassing signs about, so you need to stay on the road
This is the largest mining historical site in the state of Colorado
As you can see, the buildings do not have foundations, and are about to tumble into the creek.
This is what happens when you don't repair the roof.
Wait. It is not totally a ghost town! These guys are all over the place. No, they are not rats. They are marmots, and their ancestors were here when the miners were.
A later addition was this dam, which powered the mine, by hydro-electric power....until it broke.
This mine, under several different owners, operated into the twentieth century (1874-1980). From 1891-1903 it brought in over twelve million dollars. The base metals were, gold, silver, lead and copper. Our little town Lake City, Colorado owes it's very existence to this mine.
So, you will be happy to know, that it is going to be saved. It is being deeded over to the county, and with donations and grants the plan is: Environmental cleanup, Historic Preservation and possibly Redevelopment of the site into a Heritage Tourism Destination
Until then, it is still a spectacular place to see. The view looking southwest from the Ute-Olay mine.
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Hello Janey,
ReplyDeleteSuch good news that this piece of history will be saved. A fascinating story and one that will, no doubt, intrigue many generations to follow.
And, such a spectacular landscape. It must be constantly changing with the weather and the seasons but always a delight.
how neat. loved the marmot family! :)
ReplyDeleteYou treat your visitors very well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a very interesting story behind these super photographs. Great post! Thanks for stopping by and I know what you mean about not knowing what day it is. I'm kind of like that too at times :) Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteGreat that it will be preserved and renovated interesting place for history.
ReplyDeleteAwesome scenery Janey - just spectacular! Lucky, lucky visitors!
ReplyDeleteJaney, in my blog reader it clearly says you've done a post and pics about the deer in town with the triplets but when I click on there's nothing. The post doesn't come up at all. Darn blogger, up to its tricks again I reckon. I'll try again tomorrow, it may have righted itself by then. :)
ReplyDeleteJaney, in my blog reader it clearly says you've done a post and pics about the deer in town with the triplets but when I click on there's nothing. The post doesn't come up at all. Darn blogger, up to its tricks again I reckon. I'll try again tomorrow, it may have righted itself by then. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is good news Janey, hope they get to work with the restoration pretty soon, looks like some of those cabins are about to disappear over the edge. Such a sweet deer family, so frustrating when you can't snap away quickly and yes I defy anyone to say they haven't been there :)
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