We're Jason and Rae Miller the founders of, The Creepiest Abandoned Places in Colorado. Boulder sits right at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and was founded in 1871. When the Rock Island Railroad shutdown, the population rapidly declined. The last remaining resident, a man named Milton Larson, died in the mid-1960s. This house is certainly pre-World War 2. Location: off Airline Road in Arapahoe County, Colorado. The last resident of the town, Milton Larson lived alone in the town until passing away in the 1960s. Each of these narrow windows consisted of 24 panes of glass set in metal frames, with red sandstone sills and a segmental brick arch over the top. But its also disheartening to see it closed up and abandoned. If you couldnt tell from this list already, there are tons of abandoned mines across Colorado. Check out some more of the, "The town's first log cabin was built in 1873 and by 1876 the community had become a bustling mining community. Reasons for their disappearance vary, with the most popular conclusion being they exhausted the area's natural resources. Location: Off Ute Creek Road in Clear Creek County, Colorado. on their window fog if they drive close enough. 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. Does anyone else find deserted, abandoned places in (and out of) Colorado ghost towns to be fascinating? Perched above the Crystal River, the Crystal Millalso known as the Sheep Mountain Millhas developed a reputation as one of the most-photographed sites in the state. The former town limits now reside in El Paso County, in the Colorado Springs metro area, near Black Forest." Rusted stairs give way to massive drops into the dark abyss, and PCBs, uranium, and other chemicals often coat the interior. Location: Off County Road 317/Gothic Road in Gunnison County, Colorado. Unlike most mines during the gold and silver rush Climax was known for its massive deposits of molybdenum ore which are used in high-strength metal alloys. Its by far the spookiest and most popular with urban explorers, though, and is well worth a mention. The ghost town of Ashcroft is located about 10 miles from Aspin, is one of the easier ghost towns to reach by car. Life in these places was hard, and many people lost their lives in mining accidents. A chloroformed himself to death and his wife, upon finding him, followed suit. Colorful Colorado tends to conjure thoughts of crisp mountain air, world-class skiing, boundless nature, and of course, John Elways toothy grin. This modest mine quickly grew as more and more prospectors staked their claim to gold in the area. The property was owned by the Archdiocese of Denver, which controls numerous schools around the city. It boasted one of Colorados biggest silver mines, as well as, lived in the town at its peak in the early 20th century.. All of the artifacts inside were auctioned off. It's been closed to traffic since 1988 when Tunnel No. The Arkansas Valley Railway Kit Carson to Las Animas, CO CO | AVRy, KPRR The Aspen Branch Woody Creek to Aspen, CO CO | D&RGW, SP Boettcher to Buckeye, CO CO | UP Brighton to St. Vrains, CO CO | UP Carbon Junction, CO to Chama, NM CO, NM | D&RGW Chandler Junction to D&RGW Junction, CO CO | C&SE Como to Leadville . The Titan I missiles were the United States last resort weapon, as they could easily travel thousands of miles and were often armed with nuclear warheads. The website Only In Your State is a great resource when searching for local oddities or places to explore. The state is home to six abandoned subterranean missile silos constructed to house Titan 1, one of the earliest intercontinental ballistic missiles developed in the U.S. The former medical building is now owned by the Steelworks Center of the West, which converted the structure into the Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture. 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. Whenever I come across one of these abandoned houses, I always wonder who was the last family that lived there and why they finally decided to leave." 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. He's written for Maclean's and This Magazine. Not recommended for non-veteran explorers. Nearly 1500 scientific publications come from RMBL each year. The infamous blizzard of 1884 crushed the region with more than three straight weeks of heavy snow that eventually reached a whopping 25 feet, requiring residents to carve out tunnels in the snow to move between buildings. Oh, and then there are the ghost stories behind an eerie abandoned hospital in Colorado the St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs. Brutal winters had punished this small town year after year. Its said that a single boulder net Stratton nearly $60,000, which was a ton back in the 1890s! , make no mistakeno crazed endocrinologist is running phantom lab tests on ghostly urine samples (at least, as far as we know). Shortly after the incident, the government ordered all gold mines to shift to military production, meaning the tunnel would have closed regardless. Today its another ghost town with a mining history. Climax is known for its large molybdenum ore deposit. The London-based company sold shares of the company on their stock exchange, however, a new site survey revealed that there was significantly less ore on the property than previously thought. Abandoned adobe one-room schoolhouse in Las Animas County, Colorado . The name Dearfield was suggested by one of the town's citizens, Dr. J.H.P. 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. Its a picturesque location, even with all of the abandoned buildings. (via Wikimedia), "RMBL was founded in 1928 on the remains of an abandoned mining town in Gothic, Colorado. Keota, a mostly abandoned . Despite poor agricultural conditions, the town boomed, housing more than 700 residents . But the ghosts of residents long passed may greet you when you enter. 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 . Though its unclear when rail traffic stopped using the bridge, Union Pacific did remove six of its iron and lumber spans in 2011, and the City of Pueblo took out two of the bridge piers that year as part of a flood mitigation effort. . Like all gold towns, Wall Street went bearish on the prospects of new gold in the area, and eventually, workers migrated elsewhere. . The last resident died in the 1960s. Today you can explore this old ghost town, just make sure you visit during the warm season and have a 44 vehicle. This property is presumed abandoned under Section 2-2-18 of the Boulder Revised Code. The Englewood Public Library is the second library in Colorado to have to close its doors due to meth contamination. Abandoned Read more . With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, it's one of the most breathtaking abandoned places in Colorado. Not only will the ghosts thank you, but future visitors will, as well. Underground exploration is dangerous. Due to theft, the Independence Mine was the first to require workers to strip down after their shifts. 1. and about 20 miles southwest of the charming ski town Crested Butte, Colorado. Youll find broken staircases in this worn and rusted building. At that time the town contained 30 cabins, a hotel, a general store, a saloon, and a post office. Dilapidated structures can easily fall, and some places still have harmful chemicals in the materials, water, and air. Built n the 1920s, this tower was designed from its birth to be a tourist trap. The town was part of the Red Mountain Mining District that was formed in 1893. Unlike these obscure mining towns, Crystal Mills is a popular destination for photographers and explorers of all ranks. But alas, it is not. What to Know Before Visiting Fairyland Caverns, Explore North Georgias Beautiful Wine Country, 8 Amazing Scenic Drives in Central Florida, 7 Best Antique Shops in Corpus Christi for Treasure Hunting, The Big Easy: The Truth Behind This Strange City Nickname, Soul Food You Have to Eat When Visiting New Orleans, Why Wisconsin May Not Be the Cheese Capital of the World, Get Hopped Up at the 7 Best Breweries in St. Louis. Im personally glad they chose to keep the strictures rather than demolish them. 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. Along with these abandoned locations come haunted trails, eerie feelings, and dangerous situations. Location: Off Alpine Gulch Road in Boulder County, Colorado. Of all the abandoned places in Colorado, Ashcroft is one of the best-preserved non-commercial ghost towns in the region. Poor coverage isn't baggage you want to pack on your next road trip. The museum features exhibits dedicated to the local history of coal mining, steel production, the railroad industry, the labor movement and the role of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company in the region. The residential houses were all transported to the West Park subdivision of Leadville, Colorado, before 1965, leaving only the mining buildings standing." In 1861 a massive fire ripped through the town and destroyed over 50 buildings and homes. The mine struggled to remain in operation over the next decade. What Makes It Creepy: The tower stands tall but shows signs of wear. Though the Cold War has been over for more than 30 years, remnants of this tumultuous time in world history are still visible in the vast open spaces of Colorado. A simple Google search will bring up numerous abandoned places near where you live. Location: 4 S Commercial St, Ramah, CO 80832. . There is something hauntingly beautiful about old, dilapidated structures that intrigue adventurers, photographers, and historians alike and makes them set out in search of these places to explore in Colorado. Sign up for our newsletter and get notified of the best travel destinations for your next trip. The Argo Tunnel is just under five miles long located in pretty much the middle of nowhere. 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. Plan to visit in the summer or fall months when the site is most accessible; youll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle, a horse or a good pair of hiking shoes to reach the mill. 42.32973, -83.08447Photo Credit: Larry Myhre flickr.com. The picturesque Crystal Mill, which once served as a wooden powerhouse, is located just 7 miles southeast of Marble. Colorado is well-known as a top destination for travelers who love the great outdoors. Get the latest news, guides and updates, straight to your inbox. Discover abandoned places, shipwrecks, mansions, ghost towns, and everything in between near you. Here are some amazing abandoned places in Colorado that are sure to give you goosebumps. First, she gets all caught up in the sinking of the Titanic, and now her house is known as one of the most haunted places in Colorado! The last train to leave Como left in 1937. However, some abandoned places are open to the public (as are most places on this list). The Rocky Mountains provide thousands of miles of trails to hike, dozens of peaks to climb, and endless opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking, and the states pristine lakes and rivers offer beautiful settings for kayaking, sailing, swimming, and other water sports. Even with a fire in 1861 that destroyed dozens of buildings, the townspeople rebuilt. You can imagine the dance hall full of residents enjoying a Saturday night in town. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'urbexunderground_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_13',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');One of the most successful mines in the region called the Mary Murphy Mine extracted over $60,000,000 worth of gold during its time in operation. If you are brave you will park your car and walk around the old army buildings, they are all abandoned. Luckily, in the state of Colorado, the laws are easy to understand and are pretty cut and dry. Even President Grant visited. Im wondering if the R1200S was a rare motorcycle or if it was very popular. Ramah is a sleepy little town, not quite a ghost town but on the cusp of becoming one. The City of Boulder purchased the property in 2000 and has attempted multiple cleanup and remediation efforts on the historic site, but the once-majestic Valmont Butte remains a desecrated shadow of the cherished site where the regions native peoples once sought solitude in the breathtaking beauty of nature. As rain enters the tunnel, it carries heavy metals with it and spills into local creeks and reservoirs. Como is a very small town, so seeing this architectural oddity puzzles many people who pass through right away. Mining, speculation and processing mills helped Animas Forks grow." I was really impressed to see how well many of these buildings have held up over the years. While Gold Camp road wont get you rich, it does offer a handful of abandoned mining tunnels, and random old abandoned structures along the way. Shortly after, Caribou was established to house the miners. Boulder Colorado 303.442.4344 - 1.800.433.4344 What Makes It Creepy: Like the Independence Mine, the Wall Street gold mine saw its fair share of displeasure. If youre made of sterner stuff, you can visit Animus Forks from, the roads are not passable in the winter. DYOR/YMMV, 40.70386, -104.07386Photo Credit: picryl.com. The town became the second largest silver producer in the entire state. Some abandoned sites, including mines and old buildings, may harbor harmful chemicals, surfaces, or substances, so bring a mask, gloves, and any other necessary protective equipment to avoid contamination. In 1879 a fire ravaged the town destroyed nearly all the buildings. All in all, this is an awesome example of great abandoned places in Colorado. This comes just weeks after officials in Boulder, about 35 miles northwest of Englewood, closed their main library in December due to contamination from the drug. in nearby Nathrop. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Due to the towns altitude, residents were forced south to Silverton every autumn to wait out the harsh winters. The ragtag assortment of nearly a dozen rail cars includes a 1954 Great Western GP9 standard gauge locomotive, a 1980s-era Longmont caboose, a 1955 General Electric 80-ton diesel locomotive, a 1950 Union Pacific drop-bottom gondola, a 1913 Union Pacific Caboose and a former U.S. Army hospital car used in World War II. However, if your interests tend to take you off the beaten path to explore long-deserted villages and vacant infrastructure, the Centennial State still has you covered. One of these collapses is (falsely) rumored to have trapped a school bus full of children, killing all on board; however, the collapse occurred in 1988, and no news reports exist to corroborate the story. For now, the century-old building remains empty, its hallways now collecting dust and debris instead of the chatter of children. Will you dare to explore these abandoned places in Colorado? A rail spur on the west side of the largest building was used to ship raw cotton from Texas to the mill for processing, and during its 13 years in operation, the company produced millions of yards of cloth each yearprimarily heavy-duty cotton designed for work apparel. Ashcroft quickly grew in size, and in just two years reached 2000 residents. (via Wikimedia). Grant-Humphreys Mansion, located in Denver, was built in 1902 for the third Governor of Colorado, James Benton Grant, who lived in the mansion with his wife, Mary Matteson Goodell. Farming towns on the eastern plains were often deserted due to rural depopulation. Ghost town, so seeing this architectural oddity puzzles many people lost their lives in mining accidents years 2000! 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