Why Everyone in Colorado Should Visit St. Elmo

Once upon a time, there was a booming mining town located in the mountains of Chaffee County, and all who lived there were proud of their home, which then consisted of saloons, hotels, dance halls, schools, stores and more than 150 prosperous mines within the area. One mine, which recovered a whopping $60,000,000 worth of gold during its operation, ran continuously from 1870 to 1925, when the railroad was eventually abandoned.

During its heyday, the town was a thriving haven; but after the mining industry closed for good, it sat nearly vacant, even losing its post office after the postmaster’s death in the early 1950s.

The small, historic ghost town that I am referring to is St. Elmo, and its beautifully preserved buildings, streets, and landscape deserve to be visited by every Coloradoan.