Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine facts for kids
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is a famous old mine near Cripple Creek, Colorado. It's special because it goes straight down into the ground!
The mine shaft is super deep, about 1,000 feet (305 meters). That's like going down the height of the Empire State Building in New York City! Today, it's a popular place for visitors. Around 40,000 people come each year to explore it. This mine, and others like it, really helped the towns of Victor, Colorado and Cripple Creek grow.
Contents
The Mine's Story
How the Mine Began
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine started way back in 1891. It was named after a woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner. She was the one who first claimed the land where the mine is located.
From Gold to Guests
This mine was busy digging for gold for a long time. It operated continuously until 1961. There was only one short break during World War II when the government asked mines to pause their work. After 1961, the mine stopped digging for gold. Instead, it became a fun place for people to visit and learn about mining history!
Explore the Mine Today
What You'll See
When you visit the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, you get to go deep underground! You'll ride a special elevator, called a hoist, down into the earth. Guides will show you the tunnels and explain how miners used to work. It's a great way to see what gold mining was really like.
A Boost for Local Towns
The mine's tours bring many visitors to the area. This helps the local businesses in Cripple Creek and Victor. People stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, and buy souvenirs. So, the mine continues to be important for the economy, even though it's not digging for gold anymore!
See also
