(nr Lake City CO)
In 1871 silver and lead were discovered in the canyon outside town. Over a 30 year period more than 12 million dollars worth of ore (250mil in todays dollars) was extracted.
![](https://pleinairjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/6CB59E48-3A28-4668-98E1-BCBC82774021-500x375.jpeg)
The mine laid along what is now called Henson Creek where a concrete dam and flume were built to provide water for the operation.
![](https://pleinairjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/4D5DDF10-02BB-464A-B3BF-691F796F42B9-390x500.jpeg)
![](https://pleinairjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/64C2BAA9-700C-4EDB-A9D5-C5F44F895D6E-500x365.jpeg)
The complex included a boarding house, blacksmith shop, assay lab, powerhouse and mill. The mine employed up to 300 miners, many of whom were Italian.
![](https://pleinairjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/511CDC43-8A41-45C7-AB62-14BABB86D47A-500x383.jpeg)
![](https://pleinairjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/49C12234-B7F1-48F0-BE3D-272A05AE8437-500x375.jpeg)
The success of the mine led to the Denver and Río Grande Railroad extending to the town of Lake City in 1889. That made it a very successful town.
Camp: Gunnison NF-Pike Snowden Cabin boondock
Scene: Mine, buildings, dam
No comments yet.