Colorado Ghost Town Books/Maps
Eldora Colorado Ghost Town
You can get here on a paved road. No 4x4 needed. Mostly summer homes in the area today but several buildings from the past have managed to remain standing. Some of the original buildings have been restored for use as summer homes. The town was started in 1889 by a fellow named Jack Gilfillan when he built the first cabin.
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UPDATE 2/28/06 -A special THANKS to a resident of Eldora for calling me and setting me straight on several items.
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SLOW DOWN - That was the most important thing she stated. We both have a strong desire for all the people that go thru Eldora on the way to Hessie or some of the hiking trails to watch out for the children. Roads are narrow and kids like to wander the town.
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Eldora is NOT a ghost town. - I tend to disagree but that is only because my definition of a ghost town is different then hers. Here is mine - "On my site I refer to Ghost Towns rather liberally. Basically it can be any town involved in mining or agricultural activity that went thru various cycles of boom and bust and/or towns that are important to the history of Colorado and the old west. I apologize if I have offended you." We agreed that she was correct. As she stated the town actually had a influx of new residents in the late 1980s and early 1990s.She should know as she has lived there over 20 years.
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She stated that I was incorrect that most of the homes are not summer homes. I have to take her word for that as she lives there and I don't. She also stated that maybe only 30% of the cabins are summer homes.
All things considered it is still a nice place to visit, but remember to slow down. THANKS
A viewer writes - Thursday, March 19, 2009 - My grandfather, Jay Church, operated freight wagons and stagecoaches through Eldora, Nederland, Boulder, Central City and all places in between. His wife, Minnie (Hiatt) worked at the Black Hawk Hotel in the late 1800's where they met. They set up housekeeping in Apex, a short distance from Central City and then owned and operated a livery stable/dance hall in Eldora until the mines played out. The livestock was kept in the bottom and the dancing was in the loft which actually was accessible from main street. The foundation is still there at least as of 2002. Ed Hutchinson hutched@yahoo.com
A viewer writes - Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - Rocky-as many of the rest of your visitors to your site, I stumbled across it as I was Googling Eldora and ghost towns. My great-grandfather bought a miner's cabin in Eldora in 1900. My family used it as a summer place- I'm not sure why, because they lived in Boulder. However, my parents gave me the cabin as a gift this past Christmas. I love you site! There is nothing I like more than to explore the mountains in the summer and I have always been fascinated with ghost towns. Your site will be helpful in my wanderlust. Another fun area is Lake Eldora- just up the mountain. There are three beautiful lakes, an old burned out Lodge and abandoned cabins. Across from Peterson Lake at the top of the road before you enter the ski area, is the Terror Mine and a mining camp with a dozen one-room mining cabins in an aspen grove.
A viewer writes - Monday, December 27, 2010 -- I lived in Eldora for 3 winters in the 80's. Best experience of my life. Think of Eldora everyday. I paid 200 in rent. Ghosts? I never thought of it as a ghost town. Although a friendly one dwelled with me. Karen
A viewer writes - Thu 9/1/2011 -
Hi; I was wondering if you might know who owns the gold miner hotel in Eldora
these days? My parents were married there in 1980 and they are still going
strong... The story is that my folks simply knocked on the door and asked the
family who lived there if they'd be willing to rent it out to them and the
family obliged them and moved all their furniture out of the main level for this
one day to allow my folks and their wedding party to celebrate there. I dream of
having an anniversary party for them there some year. Things were quite
different then and knocking on someones door to ask such a favor was not unheard
of, but these days I doubt that would go over so well. If you have any
information to share or if you can point me to someone else who might, it would
be greatly appreciated.
Warmly, Norah Sorensen-Nathan
Rocky responds - Try their site - http://www.goldminerhotel.com/index.html
A viewer writes - Friday November
4th 2011 - Hi,
A couple of questions for you, if you don't mind. Is the old apartment building,
directly across from Gold Miner Motel still standing? I believe the owner of the
hotel at that time (which may be you?) was the landlord. At the time I lived
there (early 80's), there was one apartment upstairs and one downstairs,
possibly 2? The lower apt that I lived in was 3 rooms, kitchen had an old wood
cookstove which was a first for me. 
I am just real curious if what I was told "at one time the old building housed
a saloon on the lower level & brothel with 9 small rooms upstairs" is correct? I
recently ran across an old picture of the old place and it left me with these
questions & it brought back fond memories of the short time I spent in Eldora,
hiking, picking & eating wild strawberries just up the road, meeting great
people & several people I met fell in love with my son who loved to walk their
dogs...lovely town, even though it was a hard life for me at that time. Thank
you for your time, Diane
Rocky Responds - In reference to your question about the Gold Miners Hotel: I am not aware of any historic record of the hotel being a saloon and a brothel but that does not rule the possibility out either. I do know it was used for social gatherings and at one time was the main place in town that was the hub of the “elite” with lavish dances. Just considering they had dances in the hotel it must have had a saloon to give the people a place to quench their thirst.
In reference to your other question I have to ask one back – Directly across in what direction? As you know the hotel sits on a corner. I suspect the answer is no.
Rocky Mountain Profiles Colorado Ghost Towns and Colorado Photos – Niwot Colorado