Have you ever heard of Gilman, CO? Once upon a time, Colorado was chock full of mining towns. The mountains and Western Slope were full of gold, silver, and other minerals, bringing thousands of new residents to the state. As the mines in CO dried, so did these hundreds of mining towns and camps, rendering them abandoned. While some of these towns are well-known and loved (St. Elmo, anyone?), others are little-known and overlooked, including the historic Gilmore ghost town.
Located in southeastern Eagle County, Gilman, CO was once abundant in both residents and ore, and was even considered to be the center of lead and zinc mining in Colorado via the now-flooded Eagle Mine.
Matthew Trump/Wikimedia Commons
Founded in 1886, Gilman produced an incredible 10 million tons of silver, gold, copper, zinc, and lead during its operation, which lead to the continual expansion of the town.
History Colorado/86.200.435
At its prime, Gilman was home to not only homes and mines in CO, but also a school, grocery store, infirmary, and bowling alley, as well as - at its peak - thousands of full-time residents.
History Colorado/2000.129.540
Like most former mining towns, when the veins dried, so did the locals, with only a few hundred residents remaining by the mid-1960s, which was followed by the closure of the last mine in 1984.
Matthew Trump/Wikimedia Commons
After the closure of the mine, Gilman, CO’s story took an unforeseen turn, as the Environmental Protection Agency discovered 8 million tons of mine waste plus contaminated groundwater and toxic pollutants, resulting in an immediate and mandatory evacuation of the town. And so the Gilman ghost town was born.
Flickr/el-toro
Though the town was cleaned up during the 1990s, it is still considered to be uninhabitable, leading few to have an inside look at this historical place and the abandoned zinc mine… Until now.
Flickr/Alan Szalwinski
Thanks to Free4All, we can now see some of the homes and former businesses located around the Gilman ghost town:
Flickr/DaseinDesign
Have you visited the eerie and abandoned Gilman, CO? Share your experience in the comments!
Matthew Trump/Wikimedia Commons
History Colorado/86.200.435
History Colorado/2000.129.540
Flickr/el-toro
Flickr/Alan Szalwinski
Flickr/DaseinDesign
For even more of our favorite deserted Centennial State towns, check out these 5 creepy ghost towns In Colorado.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Gilman, CO 81649, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Haunted Colorado January 31, 2023 Rachel Raimondi Where are the creepiest places in Colorado? Within its over 100,000 square miles, there are definitely some creepy places in Colorado:
Cheesman Park: Located in Denver, this 81-acre park is known for its picnicking, jogging, and walking opportunities. And also its hauntings. The park was built over Mount Prospect Graveyard. Aside from reported haunts, actual skeletons have also been found. Museum of Colorado Prisons: Located in Cañon City, the former women’s prison opened in 1935. Now a museum, visitors have reported some strange occurrences, like doors unlocking, tobacco smells, and cold spots. Molly Brown House: Molly Brown is one of the 706 survivors of the 1912 Titanic disaster. She was also an extremely charitable woman. And her home (now a museum) is reportedly haunted by her and her family.
Are there any urban legends in Colorado? There are many urban legends in Colorado. Here are just a few of the most interesting:
The Ghost of Jogger’s Hill: This Denver legend involves a hit and run on Riverdale Road. The victim is believed to haunt the road and leave its handprints on car windows. Third Bridge: This bridge goes over Kiowa Creek in Aurora. From deaths resulting from a Native American massacre to car accidents, it has reportedly seen a lot of tragedy. And visitors report ghost sightings as well as hearing screams, drums, and even horse hooves.
Are there any haunted hotels in Colorado? Make your ghost hunting an overnight trip by checking into one of these haunted hotels in Colorado:
Oxford Hotel: This hotel can be found in Denver. It was built in 1891 and aside from rumored hauntings and ghost sightings, has had its share of actual terrifying stories, like the 1898 murder-suicide that took place in one hotel room. Stanley Hotel: Of course the very spot where renowned horror author Stephen King got his inspiration for his infamous novel, The Shining is haunted. Opened in 1909, King stayed only one night (he was the only guest) in 1974 and suffered terrible nightmares, including one that involved that notorious firehose. Hand Hotel B&B: The reported hauntings at this 1922 hotel are not garden variety. Tales of a demon dog in the basement and actual burning sensations from contact with a ghost are just a few.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Haunted Colorado
January 31, 2023
Rachel Raimondi
Where are the creepiest places in Colorado? Within its over 100,000 square miles, there are definitely some creepy places in Colorado:
Cheesman Park: Located in Denver, this 81-acre park is known for its picnicking, jogging, and walking opportunities. And also its hauntings. The park was built over Mount Prospect Graveyard. Aside from reported haunts, actual skeletons have also been found. Museum of Colorado Prisons: Located in Cañon City, the former women’s prison opened in 1935. Now a museum, visitors have reported some strange occurrences, like doors unlocking, tobacco smells, and cold spots. Molly Brown House: Molly Brown is one of the 706 survivors of the 1912 Titanic disaster. She was also an extremely charitable woman. And her home (now a museum) is reportedly haunted by her and her family.
Are there any urban legends in Colorado? There are many urban legends in Colorado. Here are just a few of the most interesting:
The Ghost of Jogger’s Hill: This Denver legend involves a hit and run on Riverdale Road. The victim is believed to haunt the road and leave its handprints on car windows. Third Bridge: This bridge goes over Kiowa Creek in Aurora. From deaths resulting from a Native American massacre to car accidents, it has reportedly seen a lot of tragedy. And visitors report ghost sightings as well as hearing screams, drums, and even horse hooves.
Are there any haunted hotels in Colorado? Make your ghost hunting an overnight trip by checking into one of these haunted hotels in Colorado:
Oxford Hotel: This hotel can be found in Denver. It was built in 1891 and aside from rumored hauntings and ghost sightings, has had its share of actual terrifying stories, like the 1898 murder-suicide that took place in one hotel room. Stanley Hotel: Of course the very spot where renowned horror author Stephen King got his inspiration for his infamous novel, The Shining is haunted. Opened in 1909, King stayed only one night (he was the only guest) in 1974 and suffered terrible nightmares, including one that involved that notorious firehose. Hand Hotel B&B: The reported hauntings at this 1922 hotel are not garden variety. Tales of a demon dog in the basement and actual burning sensations from contact with a ghost are just a few.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Within its over 100,000 square miles, there are definitely some creepy places in Colorado:
- Cheesman Park: Located in Denver, this 81-acre park is known for its picnicking, jogging, and walking opportunities. And also its hauntings. The park was built over Mount Prospect Graveyard. Aside from reported haunts, actual skeletons have also been found.
- Museum of Colorado Prisons: Located in Cañon City, the former women’s prison opened in 1935. Now a museum, visitors have reported some strange occurrences, like doors unlocking, tobacco smells, and cold spots.
- Molly Brown House: Molly Brown is one of the 706 survivors of the 1912 Titanic disaster. She was also an extremely charitable woman. And her home (now a museum) is reportedly haunted by her and her family.
Are there any urban legends in Colorado?
There are many urban legends in Colorado. Here are just a few of the most interesting:
- The Ghost of Jogger’s Hill: This Denver legend involves a hit and run on Riverdale Road. The victim is believed to haunt the road and leave its handprints on car windows.
- Third Bridge: This bridge goes over Kiowa Creek in Aurora. From deaths resulting from a Native American massacre to car accidents, it has reportedly seen a lot of tragedy. And visitors report ghost sightings as well as hearing screams, drums, and even horse hooves.
Are there any haunted hotels in Colorado?
Make your ghost hunting an overnight trip by checking into one of these haunted hotels in Colorado:
- Oxford Hotel: This hotel can be found in Denver. It was built in 1891 and aside from rumored hauntings and ghost sightings, has had its share of actual terrifying stories, like the 1898 murder-suicide that took place in one hotel room.
- Stanley Hotel: Of course the very spot where renowned horror author Stephen King got his inspiration for his infamous novel, The Shining is haunted. Opened in 1909, King stayed only one night (he was the only guest) in 1974 and suffered terrible nightmares, including one that involved that notorious firehose.
- Hand Hotel B&B: The reported hauntings at this 1922 hotel are not garden variety. Tales of a demon dog in the basement and actual burning sensations from contact with a ghost are just a few.
