Riches Abound At The Banker Mine Ruins!

Located near the historic mining district of Winfield, the Banker Mine ruins were once a profitable operation. Towering tailings testify to the ore extraction that once took place in the dark depths of the earth. Godfried King and Fred Aude discovered the potential of the Banker Mine while exploring near Clear Creek Canyon in the late 1800s. The two men quickly laid eight claims. They began to extract a tunnel which eventually grew to be 3700 feet long. 

Near the mine, a complex soon sprang up high in the harsh terrain of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Men worked feverishly felling trees in the nearby forest. At an elevation of 11,600 feet, sturdy buildings that could withstand the harsh, unforgiving winds and winters had to be erected quickly. The development included boardinghouses for the hard-working miners as well as an assay office. Equipped with two 100-horsepower boilers, machine drills, and compressors, the Banker Mine quickly became the biggest producer of silver and lead in the area. 

Unfortunately, water flooded the mine in 1917. The air quality worsened creating dangerous working conditions. Eventually, the Banker Mine ceased operations in 1927. Untold amounts of silver and lead remain hidden beneath the surface with no way to reach them. Abandoned to the elements, the once-flourishing Banker Mine soon became a ghost town mining camp. 

Today, several deteriorating buildings dot the landscape near the Banker Mine. Remnants of the boardinghouse and an office can be seen. A large metal can trash dump lies hidden in the weeds along with a boiler. Various pieces of mining equipment and relics can be discovered in the surrounding area if one pays close attention. The Banker Mine, once rich in silver and lead, is now rich in history and in the colorful scenery that makes up Colorado. 

To visit the ghost town mining camp at the Banker Mine Ruins:

From the historic mining district of Winfield located in Chaffee County: Take the left fork and follow the 4wd road approximately 1.5 miles. Look for the tall tailings and a spur road on the left that will lead to the cabin ruins.