Gem Company Mills, Idaho Springs

Abstract

Photograph showing one of the Gem Mine Company Mills, the Jackson Concentrating Works and other buildings. The Gem Company Mill processed ores from the Gem Mine on Seaton Mountain. There was a second Gem Mill, which is not shown in the photograph, across the street from this mill. These mills processed up to 150 tons of ore a day. The electricity needed to run the machinery in these mills was supplied by the Gem Hydroelectric Plant, which was located two miles east of Idaho Springs along Clear Creek, and the nearby Gem Steam Electric Plant. The ore and concentrates from these mills were transported on the Colorado and Southern Railroad (shown in the photograph), which had switches into the mills for direct loading. The Jackson Concentrating Works was built in 1896 by John G. Roberts and named for George Jackson, who made the first discovery of gold in Idaho Springs near the location of this mill. The Jackson Concentrating Works was one of five mills located in the area.