Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Bodie, CA- Founded in 1876, Bodie is the authentic American ghost town. It started life as a small mining settlement, though found even more fortune from nearby mines that attracted thousands. By 1880 Bodie boasted a population of almost 10,000 – such was the boom. At its peak, 65 saloons lined the town’s main street, and there was even a Chinatown with several hundred Chinese residents.
Spearfish, South Dakota- Surveyed and staked out in 1876 and officially incorporated in 1888, Spearfish is ideally situated in the scenic valley of Spearfish Creek and at the mouth of Spearfish Canyon.
Monarch Quarry, Colorado- Monarch sits near the top of Monarch pass. The highway passes right through the site. Most of the site is now highway. The Madonna mine and other support buildings are still visible. Silver ore was discovered in 1878. One of the prospectors was NC Creede, for which Creede is named. Originally named Chaffee City, it was changed to Monarch for the Monarch Mine nearby. Up to 30 carloads of ore was hauled daily to the smelter in Pueblo. The Madonna Mine was purchased by the smelter in Pueblo and turned into an open pit mine. Since the open pit mining required little labor, residents mostly moved on. As such, ore was dumped right over the buildings and began to bury the town. Quarry operations continued until 1984, when the rails were removed. Today, some trucks still can be seen driving around the area - their purpose is unknown.
(Horseshoe Bend) Page, Arizona
Rock Falls, Nebraska. . . Population 276 :)
Crystal, Colorado- This is perhaps one of the most photographed mining buildings in Colorado. It is part of an old power plant below Crystal City. The Power Plant was operated by Sheep Mountain Mill to drive air compressors for the Sheep Mountain Tunnel. The structure is located near the old town of Crystal City. Crystal City was founded on the Crystal River in 1880. Most of the mining done near here was for silver. After the silver panic of 1893 the town's population steadily decreased. The last time this mill was operated was in 1916 when the towns population grew to 75. A change from a high of about 300 to 400 in 1886 and a low of 8 in 1915. Some claim the population was as high as 600 in 1883.
