In my three and a half years of writing for Only in Colorado, there are two things that I have learned Coloradans LOVE: spooky ghost towns and fall foliage. That being said, what if there was a way to combine these two loves of ours into a ghost town encompassed by vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange? As luck would have it, this magical place already exists:
Located in Chaffee County is the picturesque ghost town of St. Elmo, a historic mining community that is now home to the remnants of a once prosperous time.
Wikimedia Commons
Founded in 1880, St. Elmo and the surrounding area once housed an incredible 150 mines, with one alone producing $60,000,000 worth of gold during its operation.
History Colorado/99.270.2294
In addition to just the ore-producing mines, St. Elmo also housed a number of different businesses, ranging from hotels to dance halls to schools and saloons.
History Colorado/99.270.2661
Sadly, once the local mines dried up, residents began to leave, which slowly continued until only a handful of families were left in the 1950s.
TripAdvisor/nick b
Today, St. Elmo is one of Colorado’s most beautiful and popular ghost towns and offers visitors with glimpses of the past via its original architecture…
Wikimedia Commons
…a still-working general store…
Wikimedia Commons
…and some of the most pristine fall foliage in all of Colorado!
Flickr/Alan Szalwinski
If you think this picture is pretty, wait until you experience fall in St. Elmo for yourself!
TripAdvisor/danap765
What are you waiting for? St. Elmo can be found 16 miles west of Nathrop up Chalk Creek Canyon.
TripAdvisor/AutieGirl
Wikimedia Commons
History Colorado/99.270.2294
History Colorado/99.270.2661
TripAdvisor/nick b
Flickr/Alan Szalwinski
TripAdvisor/danap765
TripAdvisor/AutieGirl
Can’t get enough fall colors? Then Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See Colorado Like Never Before!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
