This ghost town is located in the San Juan mountains. The town sits at about 11,800 feet and was first mined about 1870. A stampede from Del Norte developed in the early 1870's after a miner showed a piece of float gold in a local bar. By 1886 there were at least fourteen saloons operating in town.

 

 

By 1893 the town was a ghost town. It did reopen for mining several times, 1907, 1930's, and in 1948 two mills were still in operation. Finally a toxic spill, potassium cyanide,  in the early 1990's Ended the mining. Now it is the site of a environmental cleanup. 

 

Photos courtesy of Mike and Joan Sinnwell 2003

 

With only 5,303 Ghost towns in Colorado it is always a struggle to decide which one should I use on my site this month. I really enjoyed Summitville as it has numerous buildings still standing, garbage dumps to search through, lot's of photos ops and a relative easy drive to get there. All the elements for a great adventure. 

 

A reader writes - The pictures you took of Summitville were wonderful. I visited there with my cousin and my three grandkids (Michael-10, Kate-7, and Joe-4)this July. Thanks for sharing. Barbarann, Cincinnati, OH

 

A reader writes - I have been to Summitville prob about 20 yrs ago. It was a great ghost town then. You could search thru the old buildings.We always go thru South Fork on our way to Gunnison for vacation. But never have been back to see Summitville. One of these days I will return there.I love old Ghost towns of Colorado. I am from Oklahoma.There is another ghost town thats around Crested Butte, called Gothic. But last time I was there. There were college students there doing research about Colorado environment.That was a couple of years ago. But I still love to look at the old buildings and try to imagine what it was like to live back there.My name is Kaye and I am from Oklahoma.

 

A reader writes - We were just in Colorado (7/2006, Wolf Creek Pass & Pagosa Springs)and a friend said she was raised in Summitville, her father being a mining engineer. Her husband, a good friend, his father was an engineer & gold miner. These pics have made the experience much more meaningful.

 

A reader writes - Several years ago I was driving over the pass and saw the sign for Summitville, 22 miles. Knowing that Summitville was near Platoro from my Boy Scout Camping days I had to make the run. The last two miles were in snow. I have some great pics from that day. I am sure that the gentleman in the National Parks Service truck was wondering what the heck I was doing there on that day, driving a 98 Lincoln Mark VIII. I wouldn't have traded that day for the world. I did know however that I was not going to try to run over to Platoro that day. I have some great pics of your buildings in snow. Please let me know how to forward if you're interested.

A reader writes - I also saw Summitville for many summers, as I hauled freight up and down that wonderful road. Too bad Galactic Resources ruined it all.

A reader writes - April 10, 2009 - Hi, I really enjoyed this site. My mother grew up in Summitville and told me of her memories of winters there. She said that she had to ski to school on home-made skis, and that the children would enter the school building through the second story windows. What a contrast to today's schools where they close school for a few inches of snow! Thought I'd pass this along. Marvin Goad

A viewer writes - Tuesday, January 12, 2010 A history of Summitville can be found in my historical novel "Citadel Mountain III - 1885-1920." Summitvile is truly at the top of the list when it comes to ghost towns and is easy to access. The area is scenic and beautiful. It should be at the top of the list as a place to visit. Maynard Cornett Adams/MCA Books, PO Box 804, Ft. Lupton, CO 80621

A viewer writes January 13th 2010 - My family owns a cabin down the mountain from Summitville and we visit there every year.  I can only imagine what it would have been like in it "Hey Day".  I am so glad that it has not been completely trashed.  It is wonderful to take new people there and see their reactions.  Jennifer.  Norman, Oklahoma