Mines, Mining and Miners

Mining sources in the Special Collections and Archives Department include photographs, manuscripts, prospectuses, maps, magazines, and directories. These materials document the development of mining in the West. Our maps show mining claims and mining districts. Digital images show mines, machinery, ore processing facilities, mine interiors, mills, smelters, and miners of all types. For mining accident accidents in locations other than Colorado, please see the Gerald E. Sherard Collection Mine Accident Index located at the Colorado School of Mines. 

Looking for mining claim boundaries & plat maps? Search for mineral surveys in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's online database.

Research Tools

Colorado Directory of Mines

Descriptions of the mines, mills and the mining and milling corporations of Colorado. Arranged alphabetically by counties.

Colorado Mining Accidents: 1884-1981

Indexes of mining accidents occurring in Colorado from 1884 to 1981. Includes first and last name, county, name of mine, date of accident, and type of accident.

Clipping Files: Towns

The clipping files are a large collection of articles of local interest which have been gathered from a variety of newspapers. The articles range in date from the early 1900's to the present. They are available for use on-site in the Library. The subject heading of Towns includes a list of Colorado town, city, community and county clippings.

Clipping Files: General

The clipping files are a large collection of articles of local interest which have been gathered from a variety of newspapers. The articles range in date from the early 1900's to the present. They are available for use on-site in the Library.