Silver Creek, Colorado, Clear Creek County is a ghost town that whispers tales of the past, nestled in the rugged Rocky Mountains. Once a bustling mining community, it now serves as a haunting reminder of the transient nature of boomtowns. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Clear Creek County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 39.7711° N, 105.6367° W
Elevation: Approximately 9,186 feet (2,800 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: Late 1800s
Disestablished: Early 1900s
Comments: Silver Creek was primarily established during the silver mining boom in Colorado. The town attracted miners and their families seeking fortune.
At its peak, it featured several businesses, including saloons, general stores, and boarding houses, catering to the needs of the miners.
Silver Creek is a mining ghost town in Clear Creek County, Colorado, USA. It never had a post office but received its mail via the Lawson post office. The town is only accessible via an unimproved road. Most of the mines were located upstream of it.
Remains: Today, remnants of the town can still be observed, including a few dilapidated structures and foundations that echo the town’s once vibrant past. The area is mainly characterized by overgrown vegetation and the natural reclaiming of the land.
Originally known as Daileyville after James Dailey, a local mine manager, the inhabitants soon changed the name to Silver Creek after the local stream that flows into Clear Creek near Lawson.
The town was first settled around 1875 when silver ore deposits were discovered in the area; however, it was not officially incorporated until 1885. The mines that supported the town were mostly closed after the 1893 silver crash but reopened with the demand for metals leading up to and during World War I.
The boom did not last; by 1922, most of the mines were again closed. Among the biggest producers was the Nabob Mine, where a new shaft was sunk in 1906.
Current Status: Silver Creek is a ghost town with no permanent residents. It occasionally attracts history enthusiasts and explorers interested in Colorado’s mining history and the ghost towns of the American West.
Remarks: Silver Creek reflects the ebbs and flows of mining towns in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite its abandonment, it offers a unique glimpse into the lives of those who once called it home.
The town’s remote location and historical significance make it an intriguing destination for those seeking to connect with Colorado’s storied past.
