San Miguel County Colorado

Between 1875 and 1959 San Miguel County produced 3,837,000 gold ounces, to become the third ranking county in Colorado in gold production.

Many regional placer deposits are scattered over the county, 1878-1959, produced 9,700 gold ounces. In southeast part of the county, on West spur of Mount Wilson, the Mount Wilson district, at head of Big Bear Creek, had a total production of 24,800 ounces. The Silver Pick Mine was major producer of lode gold in the area. There are many area small mines that had gold showings.

OPHIR

The Ophir district, in east part of county, including area South of the San Miguel River, West of Bridal Veil Creek, and the Ophir Valley on the South including the Ames (ghost camp), Iron Springs, and South Telluride mining areas all had rich mining camps. South of Ophir 1 mile, at Ames, area old mines extending 6 miles east to Iron Springs, Base the metal ores produced lode gold in quartz. Ophir Valley, many area mines, especially the Alta Mine produced lode gold.

TELLURIDE

The Telluride district, along East border of county immediately southwest of the Sneffels - Red Mountain district in Ouray County, had a total production through 1959 of 3,000,000 gold ounces. The Liberty Bell Mine, producer of 633,021 ounces, 1898-1921 produced lode gold. The Smuggler - Union Mine, closed in 1928 after 52 years, and the Tomboy Mine, closed in 1927, produced lode gold. East to head of the San Miguel River, the Upper San Miguel district, elevation 11,000-12,000 feet, many area mines produced lode and by-product gold. Northwest 14 miles, the Lower San Miguel district (Placerville, Sawpit, and Newmire) had some very productive placers.