From Mining Days Gone By

09Sep20

Following are some images from a semi-restored stamp mill, high in a mountain basin not far from my home. The hopes of striking it rich with gold and silver drew many west and as a result, Colorado’s mountains are ‘rich’ with mining history. Several nearby towns had larger populations back then, than today. Many others were abandoned altogether since it was not practical to live at such high elevations. Mining in this area started in 1898 and the mill was built between 1905-1906. It is an example of a ‘stamp mill’ named for the method of breaking the ore down using large machines that pound rather than crush. Attracted by the diagonal siding I worked my way around the building looking for compositions while imagining what it must have been like before it stopped operating in 1910.

A stamp mill has been partially restored to preserve mining history in Colorado.

‘Silent Stamp Mill’ © Denise Bush

Colorado miners had great views like this one … looking out an old mill window.

‘Window With Mountain View’ © Denise Bush

A stamp mill high in the mountains has been partially restored in order to preserve this piece of mining history.

‘The Back Side’ © Denise Bush

An abandoned stamp mill from the mining days has an interesting diagonal slope and siding following in line with the background mountain.

‘Three Windows & A Mountain’ © Denise Bush
click here to view larger and see other images in my ‘Remnants & Remains’ collection

The interior of an old mining stamp mill contains few remnants of days gone by.

‘The Workroom’ © Denise Bush

An old mining building high in the mountains displays a unique diagonal siding pattern.

Filed under: Abandoned, Colorado | 49 Comments
Tags: abandoned, building, Colorado, history, mill, mining, San Juan Mountains

49 Responses to “From Mining Days Gone By”

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1 Vickie Bush on September 9, 2020 said:

Love them all! Especially the window shot.

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- 2 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Vic! Which window shot do you especially like … the one in color, or in B&W?
  
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3 Deb on September 9, 2020 said:

Love the colored window!

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- 4 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Deb … my birthday choice was to come to this location! XO
  
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5 Bruce Stambaugh on September 9, 2020 said:

I love how the slanted siding mirrors the slope of the mountain. Well done.

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- 6 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Bruce … I liked that too … glad you noticed!
  
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7 Eliza Waters on September 9, 2020 said:

Nice lines and angles, Denise, esp. the two full window shots. It’s in good shape for being over 100 years old. Hope your birthday was a happy one! 🙂

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- 8 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  We went here back in July. The building was partially restored and shored up by a Colorado historic preservation group. Thanks for your visit and comment!
  
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9 Hans Wikström on September 9, 2020 said:

The building is so beautiful in itself that you think an architect has been on a corner or two. I am surprised that panel boards were placed on the diagonal. Wondering for what reason. Nice that you have captured the buildings’ compliance with the slope of the mountain and you discover so many details, both exterior and interior. A wonderful documentation, also beautiful with all the aging wood. Good work!

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- 10 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thank you Hans! This is the first time I have seen that diagonal siding and don’t know if there was a purpose other than it looked good! I’m glad you enjoyed this set of photos!
  
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11 Isabel F. Bernaldo de Quirós on September 9, 2020 said:

Thank you for sharing these wonderful captures!

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- 12 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thank you Isabel … my pleasure!
  
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13 Amy on September 9, 2020 said:

All are beautifully captured, Denise. The window image is my favorite!

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- 14 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Amy! Did you like the window that’s in color or the one that’s B&W? Appreciate the visit!
  
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15 Amy on September 9, 2020 said:

Both are beautiful. I like the B&W a little more.

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- 16 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks … that was my favorite too so I appreciate the endorsement! 🙂
  
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17 rutakintome on September 9, 2020 said:

Wonderful! The wood is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

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- 18 denisebushphoto on September 9, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Carlos! Wish I could go back in time and see it operating. There were mining holes all over and cables laying about for an elaborate system to bring the ore to the mill. There were other buildings in total collapse … just a pile of boards.
  
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  - 19 rutakintome on September 9, 2020 said:
    
    And all of that represents the ingenuity and hard work of so many people… just amazing.
20 eajackson on September 10, 2020 said:

Love the window shots. Really interesting Black and White. Brings out the patterns of light reflecting through. I think much thought went into the flow of this building with the mountains. So unique

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- 21 denisebushphoto on September 10, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Buck! I have quite a few old windows in my collection now. I am wondering if the diagonal siding made it easier to fit the contour of the mountain at the bottom. Wish you could explore some of these old places with me. XO
  
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22 Steve Schwartzman on September 10, 2020 said:

I wonder whether the diagonal orientation of the boards was intended to mimic (at least approximately) the slope of the nearby mountains.

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- 23 denisebushphoto on September 10, 2020 said:
  
  I cannot find any information about the construction other than a suggestion that the plans for the mill were purchased. At 12,000 feet I don’t know that they would care so much how it looked along with the slopes since the only people seeing it were those that worked there. Perhaps it made it more sturdy. The boards were fastened with large bolts. Or, maybe my theory just above?
  
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24 Pat Worley on September 10, 2020 said:

How beautiful! I think it’s so interesting that they put the siding on a diagonal. It really makes the architecture something unique.

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- 25 denisebushphoto on September 10, 2020 said:
  
  Hi Pat! Thanks for visiting. Yes … I don’t know why they put the siding on diagonally but I have a couple of theories above. 🙂
  
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26 Michael Doran on September 10, 2020 said:

STUNNING Images !

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- 27 denisebushphoto on September 10, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Michael … it was a fun outing!
  
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28 Yeah, Another Blogger on September 12, 2020 said:

Hi. That mill lasted only a few years. I suppose that not much gold or silver was found in the areas near to it. Take care. Neil Scheinin

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- 29 denisebushphoto on September 12, 2020 said:
  
  I know … seems like kind of a waste of a big building. I often think there must still be some gold they didn’t find. There’s holes all over … always looking for the next vein. Thanks for looking and commenting!
  
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  - 30 Yeah, Another Blogger on September 12, 2020 said:
    
    There’s gold in them thar hills!
31 Kara on September 12, 2020 said:

Great photographs, thanks for sharing!

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- 32 denisebushphoto on September 12, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks very much for stopping by Kara! I’m glad you liked the photos. 🙂
  
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33 Otto von Münchow on September 14, 2020 said:

Beautiful images, Denise. I was surprised by the diagonal siding. My favourite is the one looking out the window with the glitches of sun coming through the diagonal siding.

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- 34 denisebushphoto on September 14, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks for checking them out Otto. The diagonal siding inspired me and made the images more unique.
  
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35 Kirt D Tisdale on September 14, 2020 said:

I have always been a fan of this subject matter….I find the architecture of these old mines stunning with the contrast between them and the natural beauty surrounding them. Love all of the shots and want to mention that the framing shooting from inside to outside with that background….awesome. I also love the ones you did in B&W!! Have a great week!

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- 36 denisebushphoto on September 14, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Kirt … Hope there are still more out there to be found! 🙂
  
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37 ruthsartwork on September 14, 2020 said:

Love the building! that diagonal siding is great. 70″s (?) modern architecture way back when.

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- 38 denisebushphoto on September 15, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by Ruth. I guess the builders were ahead of their time!
  
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39 Jane Lurie on September 15, 2020 said:

These images are wonderful, Denise. I love your “Window with a Mountain View” Fabulous angular lines and colors. Striking. Love the B&W window, too. The whole set is terrific. 🙂

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- 40 denisebushphoto on September 15, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by Jane. I’m glad you like them and I appreciate hearing from you!
  
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41 Ken Curtis on September 16, 2020 said:

Fantastic find. Wonderful set of photos.

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- 42 denisebushphoto on September 16, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Ken. One of the better outings this summer!
  
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43 bluebrightly on September 20, 2020 said:

Oh, I love that siding! How unusual. The final black and white is perfectly toned and composed. 🙂 Thanks for the bit of history, too.

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- 44 denisebushphoto on September 22, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks Lynn … glad you like the B&W window! 🙂
  
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45 rabirius on September 26, 2020 said:

Excellent series, Denise.
The last photo if my favorite though. Taking a picture through two windows was an excellent idea.

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- 46 denisebushphoto on September 26, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks … taking a pic through 2 windows is something I’ve one before and it is a good seller, and award winner. I didn’t really think about it however … I was just drawn to the composition.
  
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  - 47 rabirius on September 27, 2020 said:
    
    Yes, the composition is what matters.
48 annashtrausphotography on November 9, 2020 said:

Wow what a picturesque place! I have been to ones next to the Death Valley, quite remarkable to imagine the lives of people working there a century ago

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- 49 denisebushphoto on November 14, 2020 said:
  
  Thanks! Shooting there was my birthday treat!
  
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