Animas Forks

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The town's first log cabin was built in 1873 and by 1876 the community had become a bustling mining community. At that time the town contained 30 cabins, a hotel, a general store, a saloon, and a post office. By 1883 450 people lived in Animas Forks and in 1882 a newspaper, the Animas Forks Pioneer, began publication and lasted until October 1886. Every fall the residents of Animas Forks migrated en masse to the warmer town of Silverton. In 1884 a 23 day blizzard inundated the town with 25 feet of snow, the residents had to dig tunnels to get from building to building. Mining, speculation and processing mills helped Animas Forks grow.

Today visitors can stroll through the many abandoned buildings at Animas Forks. "Living history" characters, including the doctor's wife, a teacher, numerous pioneer children, and even the town sheriff stop to chat with visitors. The characters will share historical info and stories of the struggles of survival on the Colorado frontier.