Nestled high in the rugged San Juan Mountains, the remote ghost town of Red Mountain Town, Colorado, beckons with tales of a fervent silver boom and dramatic decline. Once a bustling hub of the prolific Red Mountain Mining District, this forgotten settlement played a pivotal role in Colorado’s rich mining heritage. The area around Red Mountain Town was a magnet for prospectors and entrepreneurs drawn by the allure of mineral wealth, making it a critical, albeit short-lived, economic center.
The Genesis of a Mining Camp: From Sky City to Red Mountain Town
The origins of Red Mountain Town can be traced back to 1879, following the discovery of significant silver deposits in the region. The initial mining camp, optimistically named Sky City, was established in what later proved to be a poorly chosen, swampy location. With the arrival of spring, residents soon realized the impracticality of their initial settlement.
As miners flocked to the district, several other camps sprang up in close proximity. Rogersville emerged directly below the future site of the National Belle Mine, while Hudson, later known as Barilla, lay just over 1,000 feet south of Rogersville. The burgeoning activity quickly necessitated better organization.
Around this time, a surveyor from Silverton laid out a town plat for Rogersville, featuring four streets lined with the district’s first businesses. Sensing an opportunity, the miners from the original Red Mountain Town relocated a few hundred yards to join Rogersville, positioning themselves closer to both the lucrative National Belle Mine and Otto Mears’ essential toll road. A town company was formed at Barilla, and despite the lack of permanent wooden structures, a petition for a post office was submitted. In January 1883, the post office was officially established under the name Red Mountain Town, marking the formal birth of the community that would come to dominate the district. Swiftly, the town boasted two newspapers, the Excelsior House Hotel (later the Hudson House), a two-story Assembly Club saloon, and numerous cabins, signifying its rapid growth.
The Fierce Rivalry: Red Mountain Town vs. Red Mountain City
Almost concurrently with the establishment of Red Mountain Town on the north side of Red Mountain Pass in Ouray County, another settlement, Red Mountain City, emerged less than a mile away on the south side in San Juan County. This geographical proximity and shared name sparked an intense rivalry, exacerbated by the competitive nature of all mining camps within the Red Mountain Mining District.
Newspaper reports frequently fueled the confusion, referring to both towns simply as “Red Mountain,” omitting the distinguishing “Town” or “City.” This ambiguity led to district-wide discussions and weekly verbal sparring between the editors of the respective camps’ newspapers. Ultimately, Red Mountain City proved to be the less fortunate of the two. Its application for a post office resulted in the name “Congress,” chosen due to its proximity to the Congress Mine, rather than “Red Mountain City.” Located on the less mineral-rich south side of the pass, Congress saw its population dwindle. By 1887, Red Mountain City was little more than a memory, with only a handful of residents remaining in the Congress camp, solidifying Red Mountain Town’s dominance.
Boom and Bust: The Heyday and Decline of a Silver Empire
Red Mountain Town’s fortunes soared when miners at the National Belle Mine uncovered an immense cavern teeming with pockets of gold and silver. This extraordinary discovery made national headlines, attracting investors from around the globe who poured capital into the mine and the burgeoning town. The Silverton Railroad further cemented the town’s prominence, completing its line from Silverton to Red Mountain Town in September 1888, facilitating the efficient transport of ore and supplies.
During its peak, Red Mountain Town became the most significant mining camp in the Red Mountain District, boasting a population of approximately 1,000. It also gained a reputation as one of the district’s wildest towns, with numerous saloons doubling as makeshift courtrooms and entertainment venues. By 1890, the town’s population reached 598, supported by its own telephone office, two newspapers, a schoolhouse, a post office, and a notorious escape-proof jail built directly into the bedrock with no windows.
However, the vibrant era was not without its challenges. In August 1892, a devastating fire erupted in the kitchen of the Red Mountain Hotel, rapidly consuming fifteen buildings along Main Street despite the valiant efforts of the volunteer fire department and residents. Only the depot and the sturdy jail survived the conflagration. With the resilient spirit characteristic of frontier towns, the residents swiftly rebuilt their community.
The town’s ultimate downfall began with the demonetization of silver in 1893, which severely impacted the local economy and led to the closure of the National Belle Mine. Another fire struck in 1895, compounding the hardships. By 1896, the population had plummeted to a mere 40 people. The Guston Mine shut down in 1897, and soon after, the Silverton Railroad ceased its operations to the town. By 1899, only a dozen individuals still called Red Mountain home.
A Brief Resurgence and Enduring Legacy
In 1901, a flicker of hope emerged when the National Belle, Guston, and a dozen other mines were consolidated, drawing some miners back to the area. Many optimistically predicted a revival for the town and its mines, but this resurgence proved to be short-lived. The anticipated boom never materialized, and Red Mountain Town slowly faded into history.
Today, Red Mountain Town, Colorado, stands as a testament to the fleeting nature of boom-and-bust cycles in the American West. Only a few haunting remnants of this once-great mining camp endure. Visitors can still witness the skeletal headframe of the National Belle Mine, a precariously leaning cabin, scattered debris, and various foundations that hint at the town’s former grandeur. The ghostly silhouette of Red Mountain Town is visible from the summit of Red Mountain Pass, approximately 13 miles south of Ouray.
For those seeking a closer encounter with this historic district, County Road 31, located 12.7 miles south of Ouray, provides access for 4-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicles. This scenic road loops through the Red Mountain Mining District for several miles before rejoining U.S. Highway 550. Along this rugged trail, numerous mining remains can be explored, including the sites of the former mining towns of Guston and Ironton, and the iconic Yankee Girl Mine, renowned as one of Colorado’s most photographed historic mines. The journey through the district offers a profound glimpse into a bygone era, preserving the memory of a town that rose and fell on the promise of silver.
