Colorado School of Mines Experimental Mine, visitors

Abstract

Photograph of the CSM Experimental Mine (Edgar Mine). The people in the image are probably a group of visitors to the Mine. Rail tracks for the mine cars run to the edge of the mine dump in the background. The Edgar Mine in Idaho Springs, Clear Creek County, Colorado produced high grade silver and gold, lead and copper in the 1870s. The Big Five Mining Company leased the property to the Colorado School of Mines for educational purposes in 1921. The School eventually acquired the Mine and additional workings to develop the Colorado School of Mines Experimental Mine as an underground classroom for engineering education and as a research facility. The Edgar's workings include the Miami Tunnel, the Edgar Shaft following the old Edgar vein, and the Big Five Tunnel.