A Miner’s Dream In Gold Country
I remember looking out the window of an old miner’s cabin, thinking, "What was life like when these townspeople lived? How did these hardy miners live in such a desolate area? Was this a miner’s dream?”
“Gold!” A man shouts that 4 letter word into the air with enthusiasm, raising his arms into the air, jumping up and down with such energy and excitement that thoughts swirl in his head of living a life of comfort and ease, even luxury, eager to purchase the stuff he wants for himself or even a family. He passionately digs his reward up, and places it into a wheelbarrow, ready to reap his rewards as soon as possible.
A miner would hear an opportunity of a lifetime that would take him to the land of easy living, of great rewards, striking it rich, and not many would walk away from that offer. When gold was discovered in Colorado in the late 19th century, that was a sign to some men to find a chunk for themselves. They knew the risks, they knew that working in a mine is not a guarantee of a discovery, plus it was for several hours a day in a dark cave, that could “cave” in on themselves. Despite the hard, laborious work, for some of these men it was the ticket to a good life. But, was it worth it in the end?
We drove along a dirt road, looking for adventures, not for gold, but for ghost towns and scenic mountains. The old ghost town at Animas Forks, Colorado will not disappoint those of us that like to take a visit down the historical lane of life. This ghost town is located near Silverton, another old mining town, but with a current population and the famous Durango-Silverton narrow gauge train stops there.
The amazing Rockies in all of their splendor!
I look out the window, viewing the grandeur of the Rockies, the magnificent size of them, as we are driving on a bumpy and dusty road, with careful tire alignment. Slowly I place my arms out the window, balancing my camera with the movements of the vehicle, ready for photos to be taken. I am capturing amazing photos of the mountains, one after another, excitement rising as we are about to go into the past. The mountains are incredible in Colorado! Continuing the bumpy drive we see a river, the Animas, as it peaks at us around a corner.
The Animas River zigzags through the mountains, providing a water source for those that once mined at Animas Forks. There are nearby lakes, or leftover water used for mining, but not for fishing or swimming. The waters is sometimes a turquoise color or even has a hint of rust. The colors are exquisite, like gems you may see at a rock store, but do not let the colors fool you. The leftovers of the mining operations turned these once beautiful puddles of water into the colors they are today. It is like a chemical warfare in these waters.
Animas River, Colorado
Stepping out of the truck, we walk down to the river, sparkling like diamonds, and wonder how many miners or families crossed this shimmering river one time? I ponder there for a moment, lost in thought, and then turn my gaze upwards and savor the mountains that are all around. Emerald green mountains with bits of white snow dotting the tops of these glorious mountains.
We hop back in the 4x4, and proceed towards Animas Forks, excitement growing inside me as the cabins are in sight and circling the landscape. We pull over again, step out of my 4x4, and take a look around to see where to start as there are several cabins well preserved (or fixed up for our viewing pleasure).
Miner’s cabins, Animas Forks, Colorado
These buildings were once homes to those former miners. Animas Forks was a small, thriving town at one time. The first building was erected in 1873, and shortly afterward the town was established. The town consisted of a store, a saloon, and a hotel, plus numerous cabins. As a typical mining town, they had their good times, like when gold was discovered and business was plentiful; or their hard times when mines would dry up and the miners or families had to sell personal belongings or take a job elsewhere if available to make ends meet. A mill was built and a railroad came through the town to give the economy a much-needed boost.
The cabins still have a charm about them, like a feeling of being transported into the past as you walk in each one. Can you picture yourself living in the wild, untamed and yet beauty of the Rockies? With rough winters, freezing everything in sight, mining came down to a slow crawl; to mild summers to thaw out, mining going at full speed and getting outside for planting food, letting the kids play and socializing with others in the camp.
As with typical mining towns, it eventually came to its demise. By 1910, Animas Forks was drying up for precious metals to be discovered. The gold ran out, and the families left, looking for their fortunes, their dreams, their, hopes, their desires elsewhere. Was it worth it for these families to make sacrifices, to live a life beyond what was expected, full of adventure, exploration and yet heartbreak? I cannot answer it for them, but what they left behind are traces of lives well lived, a miner’s dream may have come true.
By the 1920s, Animas Forks became a ghost town. The cabins have been preserved due to the extreme cold temperatures afforded in this area. Today, we have the opportunity to visit this historic town and relive the past with the former inhabitants, to see what they saw, maybe even feel what they felt. We finished our tour of Animas Forks and stepped back into my 4x4, with a satisfaction of learning something new. I think I have a new appreciation of the people that lived in the past, who made choices that were difficult, sacrifices that were made and made a town that once thrived in the heart of the Rockies.
Animas Forks is full of exquisite beauty, bygone times, cabins that may still hold secrets of families that once lived in them, and if you have an adventurous soul, put Animas Forks, Colorado on your bucket list!