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Russell Gulch

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1859–1943. 3.5 miles southwest of Central City via Virginia Canyon Rd.

William Green Russell, whose South Platte River strike launched the Colorado rush, soon moved on to more profitable diggings. He uncovered a rich lode in June 1859, and by September, men were at work in Russell Gulch, producing $35,000 a week. The miners of Russell Gulch formed one of the first major northern Colorado water projects, the Consolidated Ditch Company (1859). Once a town of around 600 residents, it is largely in ruins today, with perhaps a dozen year-round residents. Some fifty homes remain, as do a three-story brick schoolhouse (c. 1890) and a fine, blond brick Odd Fellows Hall (1895), which dominates the main street.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Thomas J. Noel
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Data

What's Nearby

Nevadaville
St. Mary's Convent
St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church
McFarlane House
Gold Coin Saloon and Lady Luck Casino

Citation

Thomas J. Noel, "Russell Gulch", [Idaho Springs, Colorado], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/CO-01-GL21.

Print Source

Buildings of Colorado, Thomas J. Noel. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997, 197-197.

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