The Clear Grit Mine

The Clear Grit Mine is among the few abandoned mines in Colorado whose surface buildings remain relatively intact. The Clear Grit was primarily a producer of silver from rich veins of silver-bearing sphalerite to be found up the Iowa Gulch near Leadville, Colorado. The mine operated from 1883-1930. This work was inspired by the enormous enclosed shaft house (to facilitate working during the winter) and the rare and nearly intact standing water tank, which serviced the steam locomotives that hauled ore for smelting from the many mines in the area.