Ghost Towns Guest Book
Ironton Colorado Townsite - Ghost town
Copper Glen became known as Ironton because of the low grade iron found and the rust color of the area. One of the unique features of the area was the turntable that was built to support the trains going to and from the mines. They even covered the turntable with a sloped roof to allow the snow to slide off for year round operations. Using the turntable they avoided switchbacks. Ironton suffered the same fate as many other Colorado mining towns when the silver market crashed. In the 1960's the last remaining resident of Ironton, the mayor, Milton Larson passed away and the town officially became a ghost town. If you go, spend some time and wander thru the trees. The town was spread out and when looking you will be surprised what can be found.
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I enjoyed visiting this site. One of those places that is easy to get to and plenty to see. Especially if you start walking around in the trees. Several people were here when I arrived. They hurriedly snapped photos, hopped back in their cars and took off for the next stop. This same routine occurred several times while I spent perhaps 2 hours investigating the site. I would have spent more if I was not on the tail end of a long trip and headed home. I bet I saw 5 times what the tourists saw.
A viewer writes - On your photo page of Ironton, Colorado (great pics, BTW), do you know which one if any was the home of Milton Larson, the last resident? I saw him on a rebroadcast of "I've Got A Secret" last night. His secret was that he was the only citizen on Ironton, Colorado. :) Thanks! --Audra Ross in PA
A viewer writes - I thought you might like to see this video ( This is the "I've got a secret video"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbzl39E2Ar8 Take care, I thought you might also like this photo of Milton that I took from the video. It clearly displays his charm. Nick M.
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I commented - Great video, I enjoyed it. I had read about Milton but had never seen a photo. To see him in person (on the TV show) was refreshing. He and his brother were the last residents of Ironton. They worked two mines nearby to stay alive. Enough to pay the few bills and buy food. When his brother died, Milton stayed on and lived out his life there. Which house is Milton's is another question. I would have to research it based on land ownership and then it would be a shot in the dark as people moved out and when they did, if they left a better house than the one you had, you just moved. No one was around to object. The black and white photos are at least 60 years old. Lots of changes to the landscape since then. A tree can grow quite a bit in 60 years.
A viewer writes -
I
was checking out the neat photos on your website about Ironton Colorado and I
was wondering about something. Which house belonged to Milton Larson? I was
watching a rare episode of "I've Got A Secret" the other night and he was on
there. This is how I first became aware of the town's existence. I got curious
so I did a Google search and found your website. In the "I've Got A Secret"
episode, it showed a black & white photo of Larson's house but it's hard to tell
from the modern photos on your website which house was his. Please reply back
when you get the chance. Thanks:)
Noel
Sorry to let you know but Milton's house was down the road and across the highway from where I took my photos. Next time I am back in that area I will see if I can find the remains of his mine and house.
Photos courtesy of Joan and Mike Sinnwell September 2007
Rocky Mountain Profiles Colorado Ghost Towns and Colorado Photos – Niwot Colorado