Ghost Towns and Mines by Ashley Fransen
Aug
28
Written by:
8/28/2010 2:54 PM
The Eagle River Watershed Council is excited to add to their monthly educational series, a presentation entitled, “Ghost Towns and Mines” being given this coming Saturday morning at 10 AM at The Sylvan Lake State Park Visitor’s Center in Eagle. Ashley Fransen, an intern to the Eagle River Watershed Council through VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and a student at Colorado State University, spent most of the summer in the field. She studied acid mine drainage and the impact that the abandoned mines and ghost towns in Eagle County have on our watershed.
“Colorado has a rich mining history, and in Eagle County we have a significant number of abandoned mines and their ghost towns that exemplify the peak of the gold and silver booms in our state. Abandoned mines and ghost towns represent a period in American history when the West was a true frontier and some of the most ambitious and interesting people in the world came to make their fortune. The effects of historical mining in Colorado and Eagle County still resonate in our lives today, “Fransen said.
If you come on Saturday, be prepared to discover the geology, history and environmental impact of the abandoned mines and ghost towns in Eagle County. Hike to an abandoned mine and learn how to enjoy these historical sites safely. We will unearth the geologic history of the precious metals sought after in these mines. The presentation starts at 10:00 AM, followed by the hike. Bring sunscreen and a sack lunch.