These 17 Rare Photos Show Colorado’s Mining History Like Never Before

Since becoming a state in 1876, mining has been a vital part of Colorado's economy and work force (in fact, mining is what brought many families to the area in the first place). Thanks to our friends at History Colorado, we can get a better glimpse at this historic occupation via these 17 rare photos that show Colorado's mining history like never before:

1. "Table floor, Gold King Mill (c. 1890)."

2. "Mining in Central City (1900)."

3. "Stereograph depicting a miner working at a mine’s tram terminal in an unidentified location in southwest Colorado, taken by the San Juan Studio circa 1900."

4. Location Unknown (c. 1880).

5. "Italian miners play boccie (c. 1890)."

6. "Coke ovens at Gray Creek (c. 1890)."

7. "Coal mining--Colorado--Las Animas County (c. 1900)."

8. "Ramey Mine (c. 1890)."

9. "Miners and their families (c. 1890)."

10. "A woman and child stand on the porch of a house in a mining camp probably in Las Animas County, Colorado (c. 1890)."

11. "Coal camp boys (c. 1890)."

12. "Workers at the coke ovens at El Moro (c. 1877)."

13. "Miners at Boncarbo mine (c. 1910)."

14. "Coal trips, C. F. & I., Rouse, Colo. (c. 1888)."

15. "Mules at Morley mine south of Trinidad, Colo. (c. 1907)"

16. "The Col. Seller Mine, Leadville (c. 1882)."

17. "Panning for Gold at Cripple Creek, Colorado (1891)."

For even more historic Colorado photos, click on 20 Then And Now Photos That Will Forever Change The Way You See Colorado.