You're a Colorado native and have seen everything there is to see: Mesa Verde. Pikes Peak. The waterfall at Casa Bonita... but have you ever seen what these iconic landmarks looked like 100+ years ago? Thanks to our friends at History Colorado, we have the answers. Check out:
1. "Gathering in Civic Center Park in Denver." (1919)
5. "Photograph of Euro-American actors in Virginia McClurg and the Cliff Dwellings Association's Mesa Verde Pageant, "The Marriage of the Dawn and the Moon," inside Spruce Tree House at Mesa Verde National Park, 1917."
Have you heard of the ghost town of St. Elmo? Well, me neither until I was staying nearby and found it in a quick Google search. While staged haunted houses, elaborate costumes, and overdone gore are great when it comes to getting some thrills and chills, if you prefer something a bit more — let's say, classic — you are going to want to visit this one of the best ghost towns in CO.
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Located southwest of Buena Vista in Chaffee County lies the small ghost town of St. Elmo; a historic mining town that at one time housed a population of 2,000.
During its heyday, St. Elmo, CO was a bustling area and boasted not only 150 different mines (one of which recovered $60,000,000 worth of gold during its operation), but also schools, saloons, and stores.
Sadly, like most of Colorado's mining towns, once the gold dried up, people began to leave, leading to both the abandonment of the railroad (1925) and closure of the post office (1952). Luckily, there are some really great historic St. Elmo photos out there.
This is one of the best ghost towns in CO for many reasons, but namely because it it so well preserved. Despite it being deemed a ghost town, most of the original buildings are still intact, including the old Texaco gas station.
Like most ghost towns, St. Elmo, CO comes with its fair share of legends and alleged haunts, so make sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled for former residents. One such resident is the infamous Annabelle, a native to St. Elmo who was known to be eccentric and at one time was committed for carrying a rifle around the old town.
Consider heading here yourself and taking your own St. Elmo photos. As per Legends of America, "to get to St. Elmo, from Buena Vista, take US 285 south to Nathrop, and then County Road 162 west for approximately 16 miles to St. Elmo."
Have you ever been to the ghost town of St. Elmo, CO? What are some of your favorite St. Elmo photos? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below!
If you have the time, consider booking a hotel nearby so that you can explore the area more. See what Hotels.com has for accommodations around here.
If you are a longtime "Only in Colorado" reader, you know that we love our hidden gems! From the Eastern Plains to the Front Range to the Western Slope, Colorado is chock full of little-known treasures, and we have some of the best hidden gems in Colorado for you to explore:
We’re really impressed by the fact that this intricate 70-foot-tall stone castle was single-handedly built and set (with over 1,000 tons of rock) by one man! What a creative achievement! Get an in-depth look at Bishop Castle:
To be completely honest, Cano's Castle isn't nearly as wholesome as Bishop's, but equally magical for reasons all of its own (like the fact that it was built with beer cans, a love of Jesus, and a whole lot of “enhanced” creativity).
In 1933 the Castlewood Canyon Dam burst, sending a 15-foot wave of water all the way up to Denver, which resulted in a large flood. You can see the remains of this history-making dam by visiting the beautiful Castlewood Canyon State Park. Get a closer look at these intriguing ruins:
Alright, 80's kids; this one is for you! Fifty-Two 80's is a legit place to get your kicks with their rad selection of 80's merchandise, working Atari system, hip jams, and a whole lot more!
Are you ready to be shocked? Contrary to popular belief, the Eastern Plains aren't completely flat and boring, as beautifully demonstrated by these large, 300-foot-tall buttes. See some more of the magnificent Pawnee Buttes:
Believe it or not, Mesa Verde isn't the only place in Colorado with extravagant Ancestral Puebloan ruins! In fact, there are many places to find these historic structures, including the colorful Canyons of the Ancients (featuring a whopping 6,000 archaeological sites)...
Tucked away in southeast Colorado just so happens to be one of the largest dinosaur track sites in America, which is made up of an unbelievable 100 trackways and more than 1,500 individual footprints! Speaking of the prehistoric...
Have you been to any of these hidden gems in Colorado? Which are your favorites? Let us know in the comments. If you're looking for more things to do in Colorado, take a road trip and see these other wonderful Colorado hidden gems.
