Stumptown, Colorado, Lake County, is a ghost town that offers a glimpse into the bustling mining life of the late 19th century. Once a thriving community near the mining operations of Leadville, Stumptown now illustrates the ever-changing fortunes of mining towns. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Lake County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 39.2367° N, 106.2925° W
Elevation: Approximately 10,200 feet above sea level
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1880s
Disestablished: Not available
Comments: Stumptown emerged during the Colorado Silver Boom when prospectors flocked to the area for precious metals. The town primarily served the miners working in the nearby mines, some of the region’s most productive during their peak. As with many mining towns, Stumptown’s prosperity was closely linked to the success of the mines.
Remains: The town’s remains are sparse but include remnants of old buildings and mining structures. Significantly, foundations and scattered artifacts can be found, offering a haunting look into the past. The surrounding landscape has reclaimed much of the area, with nature slowly enveloping what remains of the town.
There’s not much left of the ghost town, so it can be hard to find. The signs placed around the area by the county are really helpful, but they point us past what used to be town. The stones lining the road here in downtown Stumptown are all that remain of a once-thriving red light district.
This first stretch from top to bottom was known for its saloons and houses, but now only ruins stand, which were too old or broken down by time itself, so they could no longer be used as businesses.
Current Status: Stumptown is a ghost town with no permanent residents. It is a site of historical interest, attracting those interested in Colorado’s mining history and ghost towns.
Few places in Stumptown seem so old and timeless. The downtown area, with its stone foundations lining both sides of the road, is just one such location; this first stretch from top to bottom was where all those saloons would line up before heading off into their respective neighborhoods or committing more fully to life as prostitutes (in some cases).
Remarks: Stumptown’s story is one of many in the American West, where pursuing wealth led to rapid establishment and decline. The town’s remains provide a poignant reminder of such communities’ transient nature and the frontier spirit’s enduring allure. Visitors today can explore the area, imagining the lives of those who once called this high-altitude town home.
