Once upon a time, Colorado was home to a number of profitable and fast-growing mining communities, which, as you probably guessed, became nearly deserted following the closure of area mines. While more than 1,500 of these communities are now deemed ghost towns, there is one that stands out as having never really died… and just wait until you see why.
Located in Gilpin County is the old Nevadville, which was established in 1859 and quickly gained popularity thanks to its close proximity to both the Burroughs and Kansas lodes.
Wikimedia Commons
At its peak in the 1880s, Nevadaville was home to 1,084 residents, but the town saw significant losses in the following decades. In 1900, it reported only 823 residents, which fell to 367 by 1910, and then a mere 51 in 1920.
Flickr/lucianf
As you may have guessed, the dramatic population decrease resulted from dwindling gold in the mines, and the community was deemed a ghost town in the mid-20th century.
Flickr/j.mcc
Like several Colorado ghost towns, Nevadaville is home to a number of well-preserved buildings and homes, including the old mine shafts, city hall, saloon, and…
Flickr/Jeffrey Beall
…the STILL operational Masonic Lodge!
Wikimedia Commons
Housed inside a sturdy 1879 brick-and-mortar masterpiece, the Nevada Masonic Lodge #4 is the only ghost town lodge in Colorado and still features many of its original ornate details.
Nevada Masonic Lodge #4 Facebook
Nevadaville can be found just south of Central City via Central City Parkway.
