Georgetown Mining Region, The

Abstract

Postcard showing the view from the top of Mt. McClellan of Silver Plume and Georgetown. The mining camp of Silver Plume in the foreground of the image was founded in the 1860s by prospectors looking for silver along Clear Creek. The area was actively mined through the 1870s and 1880s, producing millions of dollars in silver and gold. Between 1885 and 1905, about 2,000 people lived in the Silver Plume area. Georgetown further down Clear Creek canyon was established earlier, shortly after George Griffith discovered gold on Griffith Mountain in 1859. Prospectors were drawn to the area and located other gold lodes. George and his brother David laid out George's Town (Georgetown). Although these newly discovered lodes were originally worked for gold, many were later found to be rich in silver. Georgetown became a silver camp with this discovery in 1864. By 1868 the town had a population of 1,500 and became the Clear Creek County seat. Between 1860 and 1893, it is estimated that ...