Tarryall, Colorado boomed in 1859 when gold discoveries along Tarryall Creek attracted thousands of prospectors. You’ll find little remains today of this once-thriving settlement that produced over $2 million in gold. The town declined rapidly due to diminishing deposits and social tensions that led to the establishment of nearby Fairplay. A brief revival as Puma City in 1896 couldn’t sustain the area. The Tarryall Rural Historic District now preserves this fascinating chapter of Colorado’s mining heritage.
Key Takeaways
- Tarryall was a booming Colorado gold rush town established in 1859 that extracted over $2 million in gold before rapidly declining.
- The town’s name originated from early miners’ tendency to “tarry all” claims, leading to exclusionary practices that prompted its downfall.
- Tarryall briefly served as Park County seat (1861-1862) before diminishing gold deposits caused miners to seek opportunities elsewhere.
- Little remains of Tarryall today except scattered boards, faint foundations, and a commemorative plaque east of Como.
- The 27,861-acre Tarryall Rural Historic District now preserves the area’s 160-year mining and settlement history.
The Gold Rush Boom: Tarryall’s Meteoric Rise (1859-1862)
When gold was discovered along Tarryall Creek in 1859, it instantly transformed this quiet section of South Park into one of Colorado Territory’s earliest major mining settlements. Prospectors like W.J. Holman staked claims at “Pound Diggings,” triggering a stampede that saw thousands of fortune-seekers flood the area.
The 1859 gold discovery at Tarryall Creek sparked an instant transformation, drawing thousands to this once-peaceful corner of South Park.
The gold rush dynamics here were intense—Tarryall’s population exploded, reaching several thousand by 1860. Amid the chaos of this rapid growth, the town earned its name from the selfish tendency of early arrivals to tarry all the claims, leaving nothing for latecomers. You’d have witnessed a town materializing almost overnight, complete with a post office and even brief status as Park County seat.
Daily gold production reached an impressive $5,000 at its peak, demonstrating the region’s initial wealth. The area became historically significant as Tarryall diggings yielded over $2 million worth of gold throughout the rush. While early mining innovations remained simple placer techniques, by 1861, miners were already evolving to more complex quartz extraction methods as surface gold depleted.
This rapid development cycle would ultimately shape Tarryall’s destiny.
From Boomtown to Ghost Town: The Decline of Tarryall City
Despite Tarryall’s meteoric rise as a gold mining powerhouse, its descent into abandonment occurred almost as rapidly as its establishment.
The town’s exclusionary community dynamics sparked the creation of nearby Fairplay, where miners sought more equitable claim opportunities.
Though once prominent enough to host a U.S. post office and briefly serve as Park County seat from 1861-1862, Tarryall couldn’t sustain its importance as economic shifts took hold.
Depleted placer gold deposits led to diminishing returns, driving miners toward more promising districts.
Like Chattanooga, Tarryall saw its population drastically shrink as silver mining slowed, causing the community’s eventual collapse.
Tarryall exemplifies the boom and bust cycles that characterized many Colorado mining communities, where prosperity was often short-lived and fleeting.
The Puma City Revival: A Second Mining Chapter
Long after Tarryall’s initial gold rush had faded into historical obscurity, the Puma Hills region experienced a remarkable second chapter in its mining saga.
In early spring 1896, the Gilmore brothers and George Starbird sparked a mining resurgence when they discovered gold in the red rocky outcrops.
Puma City emerged virtually overnight. Within a year, the population swelled to 1,000 residents with fifty dwellings and twenty businesses, including five saloons and three hotels. Unfortunately, the mining deposits proved smaller than initially anticipated, leading to the town’s eventual decline.
A four-horse stagecoach made the thirteen-mile journey from Lake George daily, delivering mail and connecting miners to the Midland railroad. This transportation system mimicked the tri-weekly stagecoach services that had once served Tarryall during its 1860s heyday.
Historic Sites and Landmarks Along Tarryall Creek
Today, the Tarryall Creek watershed preserves a rich tapestry of historic sites that chronicle over 160 years of human settlement, mining endeavors, and agricultural development.
The 27,861-acre Tarryall Rural Historic District, designated in 2017, showcases Historic ranching patterns and distinctive Tarryall architecture across nearly 40 miles of County Road 77.
- Allen Creek Ranch (est. 1871) served as the Mountaindale Post Office and pioneered ranching development
- The 1921 Tarryall School and 1941 Teacherage stand preserved with period furnishings
- Whiskey Hole Tarryall Diggings yielded over $2 million in gold during the 1859-1862 rush
- Hay Creek Ranch exemplifies well-preserved agricultural structures and land use patterns
- The district’s 309 contributing resources include ranch buildings, mining cabins, and archaeological sites revealing high-altitude settlement techniques
The valley’s ranchers have consistently protected their precious water rights despite numerous purchase offers from expanding Front Range cities.
Exploring What Remains: Visiting Tarryall Today
Visitors seeking the fabled remains of Tarryall’s gold rush prosperity will find their journey ends with a sobering reality: virtually nothing tangible remains of the once-thriving boomtown. The high-altitude elements have reclaimed wooden structures, leaving only scattered boards and faint foundation outlines as silent witnesses to history. The site that once attracted thousands of prospectors in 1860 now stands empty, with no structures remaining.
Your best visitor experience begins at the commemorative plaque east of Como, where Tarryall Creek crosses near Highway 285. This marker honors the “Tarryall diggings” that yielded over $2 million in gold and briefly served as Park County seat. The area’s remote character is similar to the abandoned town of Model in southern Colorado.
For better-preserved site preservation examples, consider exploring nearby alternatives like Hamilton’s cemetery and remaining building, or Saint Elmo’s forty-three structures including its operational General Store. South Park City Museum offers meticulously curated artifacts representing the region’s gold rush heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Caused the Dispute Between Tarryall and Fairplay Settlers?
With $2 million in gold at stake, you’d understand the settler conflicts. Tarryall’s “grab all” approach to mining claims created territorial disputes, prompting others to establish Fairplay for more equitable resource distribution.
Was Gold Ever Discovered Again After the Initial Boom Ended?
Yes, you’ll find gold mining continued after the boom, though with decreased activity. Later 20th century saw hard rock and dredge mining operations, extending Tarryall’s historical significance through 120+ years of production.
Who Were Notable Historical Figures Associated With Tarryall?
In Tarryall history, you’ll find mining pioneers like the Gilmore brothers, A.G. Hartman, “Big Jake” Bayard, George Campbell, Willard R. Head, and Farnum—all shaping this freedom-seeking frontier community.
What Happened to the Gold Mining Equipment After Abandonment?
Picture rusting metal against mountain skies. You’ll find Tarryall’s gold mining relics were largely abandoned on-site, with heavier equipment left to nature while smaller tools were scavenged, salvaged for metal, or occasionally preserved through equipment restoration efforts.
Are There Any Supernatural Legends Associated With Tarryall?
You’ll find no documented ghost sightings specific to Tarryall. Unlike nearby mining towns rich with local folklore, Tarryall’s complete disappearance has prevented supernatural legends from taking root in this forgotten place.
References
- https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/tarryall-ghost-town/
- https://southparkheritage.org/where-have-all-the-ghost-towns-gone-by-christie-wright/
- https://jvlbell.com/1859-whiskey-hole/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Tarryall
- https://parkcoarchives.org/Guide_Tarryall_Road.pdf
- https://www.coloradocentralmagazine.com/tarryall-city-hamilton-south-parks-first-gold-rush/
- https://kekbfm.com/colorado-ghost-towns-started-as-puma-city-ended-as-tarryall/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjoKWfFlnnU
- https://npshistory.com/publications/blm/cultresser/co/17/chap6.htm
- https://www.summitdaily.com/news/summit-county-mining-history-runs-deep-after-prospectors-first-struck-gold-near-breckenridge-in-1859/
