St Elmo - Ghost Town, CO

St. Elmo is a ghost town in Chaffee County, CO, Founded in 1880, St. Elmo lies in the heart of the Sawatch Range, 20 miles from Buena Vista and sits at an elevation of 9,961'. Nearly 2,000 people settled in this town when mining for gold and silver started. The mining industry started to decline in the early 1920s, and in 1922 the railroad discontinued service. The buildings are all privately owned and some are being restored. The Miner's Exchange is now a General Store selling all sorts, from touristy teeshirts and hats (yes Stew bought one) to old junk. Wildlife was friendly, people were hand feeding chipmunks and squirrels, while hummingbirds were buzzing round our heads at the store. Interesting drive in and out down a dirt road.Read more