Colorado
Experiences

There Are 3 Must-See Historic Landmarks In The Charming Town Of Silverton, Colorado

Silverton, Colorado, is a historic mining town with rich history and several notable landmarks.

Published Jan 19, 2023

Written by 

Lauren Budden

Tucked into a remote area in the western San Juan Mountains is the town of Silverton, Colorado. History lovers will have a blast in the small mining town that has been around since the 1800s. The entire town is recognized as a historic landmark, so you will be sure to find the town's rich history everywhere you look.

1. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

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Management/TripAdvisor
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Milan Suvajac, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was a very important part of life in Silverton in the 1800s. It was originally built to haul gold and silver ores to surrounding cities from the San Juan Mountains and was promoted as a scenic trip for passengers as well. The railroad was designated as a National Historic Landmark during the late 1960s. Today, you can visit the railroad museum, take tours of the train yard, and even take a ride on one of these amazing steam engines! A variety of train trips are available year-round.

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2. Animas Forks Ghost Town

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Adam Baker from Houston / Moscow / Toulouse (travel a lot), CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Take a drive up a scenic 12.3-mile trail heading out of Silverton to the stunning Animas Ghost Town. The first cabin in Animas Forks was built in 1873 and the town was a busy mining community by 1876. Animas Forks was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Currently, the town is a popular tourist destination that's known for its well-maintained historic buildings and stunning views of the San Juan Mountains. Animas Forks is the easiest to visit in the summer.

3. Mayflower Mill

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Plazak at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Also known as the Shenandoah-Dives Mill, the Mayflower Mill was the longest-running mill in the San Juan Mountains. The mill was in operation from 1930-1991 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000. Today, you can take tours of the mill to get an in-depth view of how the gold and silver ores were processed.

This is just a small amount of fun things to do in Silverton. Make sure you also take some time to enjoy the unique shopping, dining, and other local attractions. Have you ever visited these historic landmarks in Silverton, Colorado? We'd love to hear about your favorite historical sites in town!

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Experiences

The Abandoned Atlas E. Missile Site In Colorado Is Being Called One Of The Eeriest Places In America

Colorado's Atlas E. Missile Site is one of the eeriest abandoned places in the country, according to Insider.

Updated Aug 11, 2024

Written by 

Annie

With its colorful history and abandoned ghost towns, mines, and railroad tunnels, it should be no surprise that Colorado is chock-full of weird and downright creepy places. However, how does one decide which is the eeriest of all with so many of these abandoned places in Colorado? Business Insider thinks they have it figured out, and we have to agree. Whether you're into Colorado urbex or history, this abandoned location is a must-visit:

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It's official: the Atlas E. Missile Site in Greeley is one of the eeriest places in the country, as per Business Insider's released The eeriest abandoned place in every state.

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Constructed in 1961, the Atlas E. Missile Site was part of the first multi-stage Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, which were used during the Cold War and later abandoned for more advanced missiles.

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As per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, there are five former Atlas E intercontinental ballistic missile sites around the state, four of which are in Weld County and can still be seen at the Missile Silo Park.

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Located between Greeley, Windsor, and Loveland, the Missile Silo Park gives visitors an inside glimpse at these once state-of-the-art, now dark and eerie Cold War-era structures, plus jaw-dropping views of the surrounding landscape.

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In addition to Colorado's Atlas E. Missile Site, Insider also notes Bodie, California, the Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory in Dawson Forest, Georgia, and Tanner's Hospital in Ely, Minnesota (pictured).

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To learn more about the Missile Site Park including information on potential tours, please visit Weld County's website.

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Do you enjoy visiting abandoned places in Colorado? Have you been to the Atlas E. Missile Site yet? Let us know.

Do you have a favorite attraction, restaurant, or event that you would like to see featured here on Only in Colorado? Remember to nominate them using this form! For even more downright creepy places in Colorado, check out these 7 Creepy Cemeteries In Colorado That Are Filled With Ghostly Tales. And if you want some spooky fun, take this Fort Collins Ghost Tour.

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Experiences

Everyone In Colorado Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive

Shelf Road in Colorado offers an adventurous and historical drive with opportunities for rock climbing and hiking.

Updated Aug 8, 2024

Written by 

Annie

Aside from being outdoors, one of Colorado's favorite pastimes is taking long and scenic drives, which - lucky for us - are incredibly easy to come by in the Centennial State! If you have driven all of the iconic roads and are looking for something a little more hidden, however, there is only one road to take, which is the underrated and underappreciated Shelf Road. Come with us as we explore one of the most scenic drives in Colorado.

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Welcome to Shelf Road, AKA, the "most adventurous and rugged drive on the Gold Belt Scenic Byway"!

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Located near Cripple Creek, Shelf Road is adventurous and rugged in that the stretch is unpaved, which may sound daunting and dangerous, but - according to Visit Colorado Springs - is actually suitable for most cars (though all-wheel drive is still considered best).

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How did this rough and tumble road come to be? It turns out that it is as historical as it is fun to drive, as Shelf Road was originally a stagecoach route that served the communities of Cripple Creek and Canon City, and was also one of the first roads from the Arkansas Valley into the once-famed Cripple Creek Mining District.

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Keep your eyes peeled during your drive, as you can still see remains from this fascinating time.

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You never know who (or what!) you will see while driving Shelf Road!

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In addition to the underrated drive, Shelf Road is also a stellar spot for rock climbing and hiking, so be sure to carve out time to get out of the car and explore the area.

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Which Colorado drive is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! And don't forget to take a look at our road trip essentials before hitting the road. For even more epic roads, check out the article below:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/colorado/colorado-tunnels/

Looking for even more to explore? Check out this stunning footage of Mesa Verde National Park:

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