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The Idaho Springs Gold Mine

On January 5, 1859, during the Colorado gold rush, prospector George A. Jackson discovered placer gold at the present site of Idaho Springs, where Chicago Creek empties into Clear Creek. It was the first substantial gold discovery in Colorado. Jackson, a Missouri native with experience in the California gold fields, was drawn to the area by clouds of steam rising from some nearby hot springs. Jackson kept his find secret for several months, but after he paid for some supplies with gold dust, others rushed to Jackson's diggings. The first placer discoveries were soon followed by discoveries of gold veins in the rocks of the canyon walls on both sides of Clear Creek. Hard rock mining became the mainstay and Gold fever took off.

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Adit Entrance
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Entrance...
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Boiler for Steam Power!
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Stope workings..
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Read all danger signs clearly!
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Great example of a wooden ore chute
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Narrow gauge rails are rotting away
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Miner Chris shows us the Gold vein
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Beautiful blue mineralization
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Chris sits inside a test opening..
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