Eureka, Colorado facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eureka
Mining ghost town
Remains of the Sunnyside Mill in Eureka, in May 2018
Eureka Location in Colorado Show map of Colorado Eureka Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Colorado
County	San Juan
Elevation	9,863 ft (3,006 m)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
GNIS feature ID	187402

Eureka is a former mining town located in San Juan County, Colorado. It sits along the Animas River, between the towns of Silverton and Animas Forks. The town's name, "Eureka," comes from a Greek word meaning "I have found it!" The Eureka post office served the area from 1875 until 1942. Today, Eureka is considered a ghost town.

History of Eureka

An old house in Eureka, slowly falling apart.

The Sunnyside Mill ruins in 2008.

In 1860, a group of prospectors led by Charles Baker discovered traces of gold in the San Juan Mountains. This gold was "placer gold," meaning it was found in riverbeds. However, the Ute Tribe had been given this land by a US treaty. They made the prospectors leave in 1861.

Miners Return to Eureka

The prospectors came back in 1871. This time, they found "lode gold" in a place called Little Giant vein near Silverton, Colorado. Lode gold is found in veins within rocks. After a new agreement, the Brunot Treaty, was signed on September 13, 1873, the miners were allowed to stay. The Ute Tribe gave up about 4 million acres of land. In return, they received $25,000 each year.

The Sunnyside Mill

The first mill in Eureka closed down for reasons that are not known today. To replace it, a large mill called the Gold Prince Mill was taken apart. It was moved from Animas Forks to Eureka and rebuilt. This new mill became known as the Sunnyside Mill.

In 1896, Eureka became connected to the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. This happened through the Silverton Northern Railroad. This connection helped the town grow steadily. Eureka was not a "boomtown," which means it did not grow very quickly and then suddenly disappear.

Eureka's Decline

However, Eureka began to decline quickly after 1939. This was when the Sunnyside Mill closed for good. Today, you can still see the old gravel roads where the town once stood. There is also a lot of debris scattered around the area. The only building that is still standing and has been fixed up is the old Eureka jail. You can also see the foundations of the Sunnyside Mill and parts of other old buildings.

The remains of the Sunnyside Mill in Eureka in 2020.

Geography

Eureka is located at an elevation of about 9,863 feet (3,006 meters) above sea level.