One of the drawbacks to ghost-towning is the sad fact that due to weather, vandalism and general decay, ghost towns throughout the West are slowly disappearing. In the 1960’s and 1970’s the U.S. Forest Service tore down, or burned many historic structures under the guise of returning the land to its wilderness state. In addition, in recent years more people are moving into even the most remote corners of the high country, and building homes or “fixing up” structures in abandoned towns.
As early as 1971, the Ghost Town Club of Colorado began formulating ideas for preserving our vanishing cultural resource. In July of that year, a preservation seminar was held and then a workshop in March, 1974. In 1975 club member John Dillavou became our first Preservation Chair. A Preservation Fund was started in the late 1970’s and a monthly book drawing was established as a fund raiser. In 1982 the first of several auctions was held to benefit Preservation. Each year contributions are made from the Fund to various non-profit organizations, usually for specific projects such as stabilization of historic structures, painting or roofing.
In August 1983 the Club began its own grass-roots preservation effort with the first of many workdays at historic sites throughout Colorado. Our first project, in conjunction with the Aspen Historical Society, was the restoration of a cabin at Independence for the use of a “ghost” or summer caretaker. The historic log cabin was shored up and a new roof and floor were installed by Club volunteers. By the end of the day, the “ghost” could be found resting inside his new digs after a hard day of watching the rest of us work!
The following October, a group of volunteers got an “up close and personal” look at Black Hawk’s famed Lace House while painting its ornate gingerbread exterior. In August of 1987, Club members spent a three day weekend putting a new roof on the Duncan House at Animas Forks (see image above). The next year, on a Labor Day weekend field trip to Marble, the Club took a day off from sightseeing to paint the old schoolhouse, now a museum, as well as clear the brush and debris from the site of the Marble finishing plant. In May 1990, we gathered at the Moore House in Central City, a former brothel, to scrape off layers of wallpaper inside, paint portions of the exterior and plant flowers.
The Club’s most ambitious effort so far has been the restoration of the firehouse at Eureka, northeast of Silverton. Volunteers spent a full week in the area in 1993 and again in 1995, putting on a new roof and replacing the siding which had been removed years before by vandals. In 1997, a group assembled at the Denver Public Schools Outdoor Education Center near Jamestown to work on the assay office at one of the historic mines on the property.
~ Rich Dais, former Archivist & Historian
PRESERVATION FUND
The Ghost Town Club of Colorado is dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of ghost towns, mining camps and historic sites. To accomplish this goal, the club created a Preservation Fund to help support numerous preservation projects. Because we are a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization, we are able to earmark 100% of all donations directly to qualified projects protected by a non-profit preservation society.
The Ghost Town Club of Colorado also contributes to the preservation of historical sites by direct involvement in work days. All members who are interested in working on preservation projects have the opportunity to have a “hands on” experience by volunteering their time and labor to help preserve historic sites.
If you’re interested in making a donation to the Ghost Town Club of Colorado Preservation Fund, please email us.
PRESERVATION FUND DONATIONS
2022
The Ghost Town Club of Colorado was honored to donate to:
Hunter Creek Historical Foundation | Adelaide Ranch
Aspen, CO
In 2023, the Hunter Creek Historical Foundation, in partnership with HistoriCorps, will commence phase 2 work at the historic Adelaide Ranch. Phase 2 will focus on stabilizing and preserving the Roadhouse.
Scope of work includes regrading the site to improve drainage, foundation shoring, repairs to wall and roof framing, and repairs to the brick chimney.
Trust for Land Restoration | Idarado Houses
Ouray, CO
In 2023, Trust for Land Restoration will continue efforts from last year to complete exterior work on Houses #2 and #4.
Scope of work includes foundation stabilization and drainage improvements, exterior siding repair and paint, rebuilding stairs, and re-roofing.
2021
HistoriCorps
Trust for Land Restoration
World’s Wonder View Tower
2020
No donations due to Covid-19
2019
Cross Orchards Historic Site
Fort Uncompahgre
Friends of New Raymer
Rio Blanco Historical Society
Temple Aaron
2018
Friends of New Raymer
Temple Aaron
Rimrockers Historical Society
Rio Blanco Historical Society
Trust for Land Restoration
2017
Cokedale Mining Museum
Colorado Model Railroad Museum
Historic Elitch Theater
Historic Northrup Theater
Rimrocker Historical Society
Rocky Mountain Land Library
Roxborough Area Historical Society
Saguache County Museum
2016
Golden Landmark Association
Hugo UP Roundhouse
Rimrocker Historical Society
Rocky Mountain Land Library
2015
Cherry Creek Valley Historical Society
Indian Park School House Association
Rimrocker Historical Society
Rocky Mountain Land Library
2014
Marble Historical Society
Rimrocker Historical Society
Virginia Dale Stage Station
2013
Park County Historic Prevervation
Rimrocker Historical Society
Rocky Mountain Land Library
2012
Buffalo Bill Museum
Colorado Preservation, Inc.
Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church
Shakespeare, NM
Share in the Care
Wild Animal Sanctuary
2011
Carousel of Happiness, Inc.
Denver Public Schools; Balarat
Historic Elitch Foundation
Sedalia Historic Museum and Gardens
Victor Improvement Association
2010
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic RR, NM
Galloping Goose Historical Society
Historic Elitch Foundation
Historic Fort Logan
Lake County Civic Center
Shakespeare, NM
South Platte Valley Historical Society
2009
Amache Preservation Society
Austin, Nevada Historical Society
Carousel of Happiness, Inc.
Quadra Dangle Society
San Juan Historical Society
Shakesepeare, NM
South Platte Valley Historical Society
2008
Arvada Historical Society
Bessemer Historical Society
Friends of the Mayan Foundation
Laramie Community Foundation
Saguache County Museum
San Juan County Historical Society
Shakespeare, NM
South Platte Valley Historical Society
2007
South Platte Valley Historical Society
Steelworks Museum
Summit Historical Society
2006
Arvada Flour Mill Museum
First Congregational Church of Silverton
Shakespeare, NM
South Platte Valley Historical Society
2005
Caliente Box Car Museum
Humphrey Memorial Park & Museum
Kaufmann House
South Platte Valley Historical Society
Tabor Opera House
Walk Through History Park
2004
San Juan County Historical Society
Shakespeare, NM
South Platte Valley Historical Society
2003
Boggsville Museum
Cowsville Historic Community
Denver Radio Club
Denver Rail Heritage
Friends of Roxborough State Park
Historic Highlands Ranch
2002
Denver Astronomical Society
Nederland Historical Society
Nevadaville Masonic Temple Assocation
Shakespeare, NM
San Juan County Historical Society
South Platte Valley Historical Society
Temple Israel Foundation
2001
Amache Preservation Society
First Congregational Church of Silverton
Historic Boulder, Inc.
Summit Historical Society
2000
Adams County Historical Society
Amache Preservation Society
San Juan County Historical Society
Shakespeare Ghost Town, Inc.
1999
Amache Preservation Society
McGraw Ranch
Niwot Cemetery Association
San Juan Historical Society
1998
Colorado Preservation, Inc.
Friends of Riverside Cemetery
Friends of Roxborough State Park
Friends of the Ute Museum
Humphrey Memorial Park and Museum
San Juan County Historical Society
Town of Fraser Walk Through History
1997
Clear Creek Canyon Historical Society
Gunnison Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Railroad Historical Fdn.
San Juan County Historical Society
1996
Creede Historical Society
Denver Public Schools; Balarat
Historic Georgetown
1995
City of Greeley Museums
Historic Jay Em, WY
South Platte Valley Historical Society
Summit Historical Society
1994
Friends of the Plains Conservation Center
Garnet Preservation Association
Gunnison Forest Service
Gunnison Historical Society
Friends of Historic Ft. Logan
Sargents Historical Society
South Platte Valley Historical Society
Summit Historical Society
1993
Creede Historical Society
Historic Georgetown
Grand County Historical Association
Marble Historical Society
Pioneer Historical Society of Bent County
San Juan County Historical Society
St Elmo Historic Society
USFS Arapaho & Roosevelt NF
1992
Cokedale Historical Society
Marble Historical Society
San Juan County Historical Society
1991
Boggsville Revitalization Committee
Friends of Roxborough State Park
Marble Historical Society
Rollins Pass Restoration Association
USFS South Park Ranger District
1990
Central City Opera House
Friends of Custer Museum
Friends of Roxborough State Park
Grand County Historical Association
Pioneer Historical Society of Bent County
Yankee Fork Dredge, ID
1989
Goldfield, CO
Holy Cross Road Restoration
1988
Shakespeare, NM
1987
Kit Carson County Carousel Assoc.
Marble Historical Society
San Juan County Historical Society
1986
Garnet Preservation Association
Goldfield, CO
Gunnison Historical Society
Marble Historical Society
1985
Aspen Historical Society
Goldfield, CO
Ouray County Historical Society
Rollins Pass Restoration Association
1984
Briggsdale Museum
Central City Opera House
Grand County Historical Association
Gunnison Historical Society
Old Mill Museum, NM
Ouray County Historical SocietY
1983
Marble Historical Society
Shakespeare, NM
1982
Goldfield, CO
Grand County Museum
Historic Paramount Foundation, Inc
San Juan County Historical Society
1981
Aspen Historical Society
Rimrocker Historical Society
1980
Aspen Historical Society
1979
Goldfield, CO
Gunnison Historical Society
Historic Denver
Nevadaville
1978
Gunnison Historical Society
HELP US ADVOCATE FOR PRESERVATION!
Passionate about Preservation? Join GTC today! and help us support historic projects! Questions, or comments on how you can get involved? Please contact us for more information!
Header Image Credit: “Alta” by GTC member Jason Messing
Ghost Town Club of Colorado 