The ghost town that drilled Colorado’s first Continental Divide tunnel at 11,523 feet

St. Elmo Ghost Town

When the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad pushed through the Continental Divide in 1882, St. Elmo became the supply center for the entire region.

Trains hauled everything from mining equipment to whiskey through the expensive Alpine Tunnel, while the Mary Murphy Mine shipped out 50 tons of ore daily.

The party lasted exactly 42 years until the last train pulled out in 1922.

Here’s how it happened, preserved now as Colorado’s best ghost town you can visit.

When Dr. Abner Wright Discovered Gold and Silver

Dr. Abner Wright built the first settlement in Chalk Creek Canyon in 1871. Though trained as a doctor, he came to Colorado searching for minerals in the mountains.

In 1875, Wright and his partner John Royal found a rich silver vein on Chrysolite Mountain, just south of what would become St. Elmo.

They named their find the Mary Murphy Mine, after a Denver nurse who once cared for Royal. This mine later became the most important source of wealth for the entire area.

The Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad Arrives

Train tracks reached St. Elmo in 1880. The narrow tracks were only three feet wide, perfect for tight mountain turns.

The Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad linked St. Elmo directly to Denver. This connection was vital for bringing in supplies and shipping out valuable ore.

Fisher Station opened at the edge of town. St. Elmo quickly grew into the main supply center for all miners and settlers in Chalk Creek Canyon.

Building the Ambitious Alpine Tunnel

After reaching St. Elmo, railroad workers began their toughest project in 1880. They started drilling straight through the Continental Divide to reach mines on the other side.

Workers dug from both ends in harsh winter conditions at 11,612 feet. They earned $3.50 daily for regular work or $5 for handling explosives.

The 1,772-foot Alpine Tunnel opened in 1881. Workers lined it with redwood when they hit loose rock instead of solid granite. The tunnel cost $300,000, a massive sum at that time.

St. Elmo During the Mining Boom Peak

Nearly 2,000 people packed St. Elmo during the early 1880s boom. Most worked as miners, with others running stores, saloons, and services.

The town built five hotels for visitors and newcomers. The Commercial Hotel opened first in 1883.

St. Elmo grew to include a telegraph office, town hall, saloons, dance halls, and a school. The local paper, the St. Elmo Mountaineer, started in 1880, sharing mining news and town events.

The Mary Murphy Mine’s Golden Success

The Mary Murphy Mine drove the local economy from high on Chrysolite Mountain. Workers moved 50 to 75 tons of ore daily down to smelters for processing.

From 1870 to 1925, the mine produced 220,000 ounces of gold worth $4.4 million then. Today, that gold would be worth over $60 million.

Unlike other mines focused on silver, the Mary Murphy held more gold. The mine also produced silver, lead, and zinc, making it the most profitable operation in the area.

The Mining District’s Rapid Expansion

Miners staked more than 150 legal claims throughout Chalk Creek Canyon. By 1883, at least 50 active mines operated near St. Elmo.

While the Mary Murphy led in production, other important mines included the Teresa C., The Molly, and the Pioneer. These operations helped build St. Elmo’s wealth.

Workers pulled various minerals from the mountains. Gold brought the highest prices, followed by silver, while copper and iron added to the area’s output.

The Stark Family’s Arrival and Influence

Anton Stark came to St. Elmo with cattle in 1881. Seeing opportunity, he moved his family to the booming town.

Anton worked as a section boss at a mine while his wife Anna ran the Home Comfort Hotel and later added a general store. Their businesses became central to town life.

The Starks raised three children in St. Elmo: Tony, Roy, and Annabelle. The family joined the town’s upper social circle, setting themselves apart from the miners who made up most of the population.

When Mining Prosperity Began to Decline

St. Elmo’s success faded in the late 1880s. Many mines produced low-quality ore that brought little profit, so companies stopped exploring for new deposits.

A major fire destroyed much of the business district in 1890. The town never fully rebuilt these important structures.

The Silver Panic of 1893 struck another blow. When the government stopped supporting silver prices, values collapsed overnight and many mines shut down permanently.

The Alpine Tunnel’s Closure and Railroad Abandonment

The Alpine Tunnel closed for good in 1910 after years of problems. Railroad companies couldn’t justify the high maintenance costs as mining declined.

Trains stopped coming to St. Elmo in 1922. Despite protests from remaining residents, workers removed the tracks in 1926, cutting off the town’s main connection to the outside world.

The old rail path became a road along Chalk Creek Canyon, marking the end of St. Elmo’s railroad era.

How the Stark Family Saved St. Elmo

By 1930, only seven people lived in St. Elmo. The Stark family stayed when others left.

Anton’s sons Roy and Tony tried to attract new mining investors. When this failed, they shifted to tourism, buying empty buildings and renting cabins to summer visitors.

By 1943, only siblings Annabelle and Tony Stark remained year-round. In 1960, they gave their properties to friend Marie Skogsberg, ensuring the town would be preserved.

Visiting St. Elmo Ghost Town

You’ll find St. Elmo at 25865 County Road 162, Nathrop, Colorado, about 20 miles southwest of Buena Vista. Drive through scenic Chalk Creek Canyon to reach this well-preserved piece of history.

The general store operates seasonally (May-October) offering souvenirs, snacks, and ATV rentals for exploring old mining trails. Many buildings allow peek-through-window viewing, though most interiors remain closed to the public.

Respect private property signs and leave buildings as you found them.

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