The population of Nevadaville was twelve hundred in 1900 when the
upper photo was taken. The Union Bakery wagon was delivering bread
and pastries; an ore wagon was heading up toward Alps Hill, and a
number of residents, both on this side of Nevada Creek and the
other, were interested in the photographer’s work. In 1960 no one
was around to be curious; the lower bridge was gone, but the slopes
were the same.
[Illustration: D.K.P., 1960]
Nevadaville, similar to all gold camps in Colorado, had a renascence
during the 1930’s when the price of gold rose from $20 an ounce to $35.
During this period a number of its mines were re-opened including the
Hubert, which was worked by Frankie Warren. Frankie was one of the
delightful Cousin Jacks left from the old days and could tell dialect
stories by the dozens. I spent a number of delightful evenings in
Nevadaville listening to his reminiscences and was particularly amused
by his ‘ant’ (haunt) stories. One of these was about the Bald Mountain
cemetery (a charming spot west of the settlement and worth a side trip)
where the parents of Estel Slater had installed his photo on his
tombstone and covered it with glass. On moonlight nights a ghost moved
in the cemetery. Frankie went up to investigate and discovered the
reflected light. I, too, followed Frankie’s example and was startled by
the effect—I hope they are still there for you to see. There is always
the danger that they have been vandalized. But let us return to
Nevadaville.
Of recent years hardy souls who did not mind coping with the meagre
water supply have renovated the remaining houses. In 1960 parts of
Nevadaville presented a spruce appearance. But the mines which were once
rich and storied, contributing a large part of Gilpin County’s
$106,000,000 production, are ruins. The ghostliness that they cast and
the derelict Main Street were little affected by the neat cottages. It
does not take much imagination on a still afternoon to hear a Cornish
“tommy-knocker” or to see why Nevadaville rates first among the ghost
towns....
Farther on toward the continental divide, past Apex and a sign
erroneously marked _Private Road_, is American City. A mixture of
occupied and deserted buildings, the town lies hidden on the wooded side
of Colorado Mountain overlooking a glen. A number of the deserted cabins
and pretty sites may be bought from the county for back taxes. But
others are in fine repair and lovingly cared for. Be wary in American
City not to cast yourself in the role of “trespasser.”
American City’s history is not long and dramatic like Nevadaville’s. But
its story is unique for glamor, gayety and culture. After the crash of
silver in 1893, desperate efforts were made to find as yet undiscovered
gold, and new strikes were made in the Pine Creek Mining District of
Gilpin County. By 1895 Apex had reached sufficient stature to be listed
in the Colorado Business Directory, as the district’s principal town,
having two hotels and a general merchandise store. By June 1896 the
_Denver Times_ was saying, “American City is very dressy.”
A year later the _Denver Republican_ described the main stockholders of
the American Company who were from Illinois and Iowa. It added that this
company was in good financial condition, was running two shifts of
miners and had opened a library in their office in American City which
“now numbers 503 books and the miners appreciate the courtesy on the
part of the company.”
[Illustration: D.K.P., 1960]