Littleton, CO, USA
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Colorful Colorado Stories
The Ghosts of Winfield
The Clear Creek Canyon Historical Society has been majestic at the historical study of Winfield Colorado. It’s the ghost town you will find at the end of accessible CR 390 in Chaffee County. Once a booming Silver mining town its history goes back to 1867, which makes it one of the earliest mining towns in the region. It is unique in having the option of switching over to a Gold Mine community later.
And Winfield located in the beauty of several 14ers was truly the Wild West. The Tasmanian Mine employed and scouted for mining men from around the world. They advertised a bustling city to live in all be it above 10,200 feet above Sea Level. It had a school house and 2 churches amongst multiple businesses for its 1,500 residents. It also had a red light district and 3 of the most rowdy saloons in Colorado.
While the remaining structures are limited there are stories galore about its citizens;
Old Mountain Man Tom Logan died in a cabin fire on 12-28-1867. Arson was suspected due to an argument over a mining claim.
William Gee died in an explosion at the Swiss Boy Mine On April 18th 1890. He is listed as being young with no family.
George Battle Wright died by lightning strike carrying his shovel to work.
John Wagner, miner by trade, died 12-19-1889 in a snow slide on his way home from the Small Hope Mine. They had to wait until spring to claim his body.
Walter Smith and his neighbors Henry and Ettie Symons all died in an explosion in 1895 when Walter decided to warm dynamite on his stove.
The Harry Payne cabin was built in 1888 but when little Harold Payne only five years old died on March 10, 1899 they moved out.
William Wallace was only 32 years old when he died of pneumonia after suffering severe injuries from an explosion at the Tasmanian Mine on March 2, 1901. Records indicate his Parents William and Euphemia are buried in Colorado Springs.
The Swede “Gus” Sjostrom died in a gunfight on Main Street on August 31st, 1902
And legend says a miner was killed and skinned by a Ute man after he cheated at a card game. Like I said, the Wild West!
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