Dutchtown, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Dutchtown
|
|
 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Grand Lake, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Built | 1879 |
| MPS | Rocky Mountain National Park MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 76002292 |
| Added to NRHP | January 29, 1988 |
Dutchtown was a small mining community. It was located high in the Never Summer Mountains. This area is now part of Rocky Mountain National Park. Today, Dutchtown is a ghost town. This means it is an abandoned place with only ruins left.
The site sits just below the timberline. This is the elevation where tall trees stop growing. You can still see the remains of four old cabins there.
Contents
Discovering Dutchtown: A Mountain Mining Town
Why Dutchtown Was Built
Dutchtown was started around 1879. It was a place for miners who were looking for silver. These miners were called "squatters." They settled on land without owning it.
They had been living in Lulu City. This town was a couple of miles to the east in the Kawuneeche Valley. However, some of the miners, especially those from the Netherlands (often called "Dutch" at the time), had a big disagreement in Lulu City. Because of this, they were no longer welcome there.
So, these miners moved a short distance away. They set up their own small community. Dutchtown became like a small neighborhood or "suburb" of Lulu City. It allowed the Dutch miners to keep working the same silver deposits.
Life in the Mining Community
Dutchtown was a busy place for a short time. Miners worked hard to find silver in the mountains. Life in these remote mining towns was often tough. People lived in simple cabins. They faced harsh weather conditions.
The community of Dutchtown existed for only a few years. It was active from about 1879 until around 1884. After that, the silver became harder to find. Many miners moved on to other places. The town was eventually abandoned.
Dutchtown Today
Today, Dutchtown is a quiet historical site. It reminds us of Colorado's mining past. You can visit the ruins of the cabins in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's a glimpse into what life was like for miners long ago.
On January 29, 1988, the Dutchtown site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical location. It is protected to preserve its history for future generations.
