State Capital, Colorado, Hinsdale Region is a mesmerizing abandoned town that once had the potential to evolve into a major city in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Its brief history and the enduring remains offer an entrancing peek into the past. Below is detailed information about the town.
Region: Hinsdale
Postal Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 38.0467° N, 107.3228° W
Altitude: Approximately 10,300 feet (3,139 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MTZ)
Founded: 1877
Dissolved: Late 1890s
Comments: State Capital was established by George S. Lee in 1877, amidst the silver mining rush. Lee envisioned it as a future bustling city and constructed a brick courthouse in the hopes of it becoming the county seat.
Despite his ambitious visions, the town never flourished as anticipated due to severe winters, challenging accessibility, and diminishing ore quality, leading to its rapid decline.
Remains: Presently, visitors to State Capital can uncover a few vestiges of its history, including the brick base of the courthouse and some scattered building ruins. These remnants are a tribute to the ambitious aspirations that once drove this remote mountain settlement.
Current Status: State Capital is now an abandoned town, mainly accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles or hiking. It is situated within the confines of the Gunnison National Forest, providing a picturesque yet secluded glimpse into Colorado’s mining past.
Remarks: State Capital’s narrative is a quintessential illustration of the boom-and-bust cycle that characterized many mining towns in the American West. Despite its inability to materialize into the envisioned grand city, it remains a poignant reminder of the dreams and obstacles encountered by those who pursued fortune in the rugged mountains of Colorado.
