Colorado Ghost Town Photography - Gillette, Colorado
Gillett is a ghost town many people drive by without knowing it is even there. It began with the coming of the midland Terminal railway. In planning on the railway's passing, a town was plotted at this location in 1894. It was named for a passenger agent on the Sante Fe Railroad, W. K. Gillett. Gillett was responsible for raising the money to build the terminal. Gillett reached its peak in 1896. At one time, the population peaked at 1800 and included 25 saloons. The post office remained open between 1894 and 1913. On August 24, 1895, an estimated 50,000 people arrived to watch a famous bullfight. Soapy Smith arrived here to con event followers out of their money. Mills outside of Colorado City forced Gillett's mill to close, and by 1908 only 30 people remained. The valley was purchased in 1911 and razed to make way for ranching. The St Dimas chapel stood for many years and was photographed by Muriel Sibell Wolle, but now only a pile of stone remains.
Some sources indicate this site was once called Cripple Creek City or Gateway City.
Ghost Town Gillette Photography Pages Available
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This modified building now serves as an airport hanger.
Camera Used: Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Exposure Time: 1/400 Aperture: f/9.0 ISO: 100
Date Taken: 2010:02:26 15:36:24 Want to use this image? See the More information tab.
Camera Used: Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Exposure Time: 1/500 Aperture: f/8.0 ISO: 100
Date Taken: 2010:02:26 15:36:28 Want to use this image? See the More information tab.
The ruins to this church are crumbling. When Murielle Wolle visited this site in the 1940s, the brick remained, but the roof had collapsed.
Camera Used: Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Exposure Time: 1/640 Aperture: f/9.0 ISO: 100
Date Taken: 2010:02:26 15:37:43 Want to use this image? See the More information tab.
Camera Used: Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Exposure Time: 1/160 Aperture: f/10.0 ISO: 100
Date Taken: 2010:09:23 17:44:03 Want to use this image? See the More information tab.
These photos are of the Gillette townsite with yellow aspen. It is amazing to think this once was full of buildings and miners.
Camera Used: Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Exposure Time: 1/125 Aperture: f/8.0 ISO: 100
Date Taken: 2010:09:23 17:44:08 Want to use this image? See the More information tab.
Ghost Town Gillette Photography Album Pages Available
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