Caribou, Colorado, Boulder County is a fascinating ghost town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Once a bustling mining community, it’s now a reminder of Colorado’s rich mining history. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Boulder County
Zip Code: 80466
Latitude / Longitude: 39.9792° N, 105.5585° W
Elevation: 9,915 feet (3,022 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1870
Disestablished: 1905
Comments: Caribou was established as a mining town during Colorado’s silver boom. It was named after the Caribou silver mine, which prospector Sam Conger discovered in 1869. The town quickly grew, attracting miners and their families, and at its peak, it boasted a population of around 3,000 people.
However, like many mining towns, its fortune waned as the silver market fluctuated. A devastating fire in 1879 further accelerated its decline.
Remains: Today, the site of Caribou is marked by scattered ruins and remnants of the original structures. Visitors can find the foundations of old buildings, scattered mining equipment, and a few headstones from the town’s cemetery. The landscape gives a glimpse into the lives of those who once thrived in this rugged terrain.
Current Status: Caribou is classified as a ghost town, with no permanent population. The land is privately owned, but it remains accessible to visitors who wish to explore its history.
Caribou and its silver mines were completely deserted by the time 19-year-old geology student Tom Hendricks saw it in 1970, but Hendricks became convinced that the silver mines at Caribou could make a profit and has made the mines his life work.
After he got his geology degree, he acquired the old Cross mine in 1973 and began shipping silver concentrate in 1977. He acquired the famous Caribou mine in 1980. In recent years, he has struggled to keep the Cross and Caribou mines operating through low silver prices.
Remarks: Caribou holds a special place in Colorado’s mining history. Although it is no longer inhabited, it serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and opportunities of the mining era.
The town’s remains are a tribute to the resilience of the people who lived there, and it continues to attract history enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Visitors are encouraged to respect the site and preserve its historical integrity while enjoying the stunning natural surroundings.
Caribou was established about 1870 to house miners from the Caribou silver mine. The town had one church, three saloons, a brewery, and its newspaper, the Caribou Post. The Caribou mine was sold for $3 million in 1871 to Dutch investors, but the new owners found that the best ore had already been removed.
The mine struggled until 1876, when controversial Colorado entrepreneurs Jerome B. Chaffee and David Moffat bought, incorporated, and sold shares in New York. A fire burned down the town in 1879. By the 1920s, Caribou was home to fewer than 50 people. At its peak in 1875, Caribou’s population was estimated to be about 3,000.
