the Grabers: Durango, Part 2

We drove past Silverton and followed the stream.

This bucket is left from mining days. Could not imagine riding these across the ravine!

This is the road to the ghost mining town of Animas Forks.

"The town's first log cabin was built in 1873 and by 1876 the community had become a bustling mining community. At that time the town contained 30 cabins, a hotel, a general store, a saloon, and a post office. By 1883 450 people lived in Animas Forks and in 1882 a newspaper, the Animas Forks Pioneer, began publication and lasted until October 1886. Every fall the residents of Animas Forks migrated en masse to the warmer town of Silverton. In 1884 a 23 day blizzard inundated the town with 25 feet (7.6 m) of snow, the residents had to dig tunnels to get from building to building. Mining, speculation and processing mills helped Animas Forks grow."

It began to snow while we were there.

Could you imagine this view from your dining room? Wow!

"When mining profits began to decline investment in Animas Forks was no longer justified and although mining made a brief 1904 rebound with the construction of the Gold Prince Mill, the town's mining days were nearing an end. A rail line ran through the area and also restimulated interest in mining in the community but the railroad never reached its expectations. The Gold Prince Mill closed in 1910 and in 1917 most of the mill's major parts were removed for a new facility in Eureka. The mill's dismantling signaled the beginning of the end for Animas Forks and the town was a ghost town by the 1920s."

The indoor toilet - one for papa, one for mama, and one for the children.

After we explored the old ghost town, we drove back to Silverton for a picnic. Brrr, it was cold. But it was yummy! PJ's Market makes delicious lunches!!