St Elmo Ghost Town

Walking tour of the most authentic Ghost Town in Colorado

This tour will explore the early settling of a fast growing boom town that only lasted about 30 years in it's prime. The remnant that is left is being restored by the local historical society and lovers of St. Elmo. Join us as we explore the history of one of the western gems in the heart of Colorado mining country.

Prior to the 1850's the Chalk Creek area was a hunting gronds for the Ute Indians and other tribes for many decades

From 1850’s to the 1870’s, The chalk Creek area was home to a few settlers and miners who were drifting around looking for silver or Gold. Just after the Civil War ended , Dr Abner Wright discovered several lodes in the Chalk Creek Area, the largest being the Mary Murphy Mine. A camp had formed at Chalk Creek and became organized as Forestville, Colorado around 1878. In 1880 the town was incorporated as St, Elmo, Colorado.

In 1883 the first hotel, The Commercial Hotel was built and the town began to boom. At least 50 mines were thriving near St. Elmo in 1883. The official census in 1887 reported 400 males voted so with families it grew quickly. During the 1890's the mines were up and down so was the economy but in 1896 the town went through a boom again.

The town was at its peak in the 1890s, when it included a telegraph office, general store, town hall, 5 hotels, salloons, dancing halls, a newspaper office, and a school house. The Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad line ran through St. Elmo. There were 150 patented mine claims within the area. A boom town indeed!