Leaving our campground in Gunnison Colorado for our
"quest to see the old mining/ghost towns"
OHIO CITY
is the first stop
This is the beginning of the "Gold Belt" when gold and silver were discovered in 1879. In 1893 Silver Panic stopped all production of silver. There is some production of gold today, even though it is sporadic.
There are a few full time residents now, but the towns in the area mostly serve as supply centers for the nearby ranchers.
Typical buildings in the remainders of the ghost towns.
Pitkin
Population-"Strange"
Altitude - 9241
A lively summer town with maybe 200 people, and 60 in the winter.
Lots of visitors, 4wheeling, ATV's and enjoyment of the cool Rocky Mountain weather and gorgeous scenery.
The first gold strike was in 1878.
The Denver and South Park Railroad arrived in 1882.
Population peaked about 2500 people in 1881 but by 1884 the town was in a depression. The mineral vein was rich but shallow.
Some silver mining was done but finished with the Silver Panic of 1893.
The original Train Depot
(it is now a private home, up for sale at $500,000)
Just imagine- a train fare from Pitkin to Gunnison for $1.50
(it took us half an hour to drive)
These trains ran over some pretty tough territory.
Someone mentioned to us that the restaurant in the Pitkin Hotel
was having it's grand opening today.
Lucky day!
We met the owners who have been remodeling/refurbishing the Hotel
which had been built in 1904 for 2 years now.
All the flooring is original, the bar is an original 1880's bar, and the ceiling tiles are reproductions of a few original tiles that they found during the remodel.
The hotel lobby has a fantastic picture of 'the old days'.
The sandstone brick wall was the original hotel wall.
The restaurant was built in 1905.
A partial view of their extensive menu
The staff was fabulous, and so was the food.
We ordered the Tuna,Crab Stack.
It was so good that we thought we'd stop after we did our sightseeing.
Cumberland Pass, Elevation 12,105
(Not to be confused with Cumberland Gap-
"The First Gateway to the West" in Virginia)
We made it without a Jeep or ATV but the 10 mile trip took us
an hour and a half!
You feel pretty much like you're at the 'Top of the World'
We've been getting thunderstorms most days and it gets darker without the bright sun, but it's incredible to see that huge range of mountains to the west.
I think we can see all the way to the Aspen Mountains and Maroon Bells.
The view off to the east (toward Buena Vista) is also fabulous.
The remnants of the old Bon Ton Mine
The original owner built the Pitkin Hotel in 1904.
The mine has been sold.
It is interesting that someone from Kansas wants an old gold mine.
Can you imagine what these people went through back in the 1880's?
"Room with a view"
Beautiful lush green valleys and wildlife on the way
back to town.
Yes, we also had dinner at the Pitkin Hotel
The Lamb Lollipops were terrific!
It is such a treat to have a gourmet meal and wonderful hospitality
in such an obscure little place of Pitkin.
We will have to make a point to come back!
P.S. If you made it this far, we'd love any comments at the bottom of the blog.
