Chattanooga, Colorado – Silent Today – Legends of America
High in the rugged San Juan Mountains of Colorado, nestled within the heart of the Red Mountain Mining District, lies the ghost town of Chattanooga. Once a bustling hub of commerce and industry, this silent settlement now whispers tales of a bygone era, a testament to the boom-and-bust cycles that defined the American West. Located approximately seven miles northwest of Silverton and three miles south of Red Mountain Pass, Chattanooga’s remnants serve as a poignant reminder of the dreams and hardships of those who sought fortune in the unforgiving landscape.
Genesis of a Mining Town
The story of Chattanooga begins in 1882 with a settlement known as Sweetville. This nascent community sprang up below the imposing Red Mountain Pass, at the head of Mineral Creek near its confluence with Mill Creek. E.T. Sweet, a man of entrepreneurial spirit, established the first business in the camp: a saloon. Soon after, Sweetville was joined by a restaurant, a butcher shop, and a lumber yard, catering to the growing needs of miners and prospectors drawn to the area’s mineral wealth.
However, the spirit of competition soon led to the establishment of a rival camp nearby, christened Chattanooga. In 1883, recognizing the advantages of unity, the two camps merged, adopting the name Chattanooga. This marked a significant step in the town’s development, and in April of the same year, a post office was established, solidifying its status as a recognized settlement. Frank Carol, the town’s first postmaster, chose the name Chattanooga in honor of his hometown in Tennessee, forging a connection between the rugged mountains of Colorado and the rolling hills of the South.
Growth and Prosperity
With its identity secured, Chattanooga experienced a period of rapid growth and prosperity. Additional businesses sprang up to serve the burgeoning population, including the Enterprise Restaurant, two mercantile stores offering a variety of goods, and a hardware store supplying essential tools and equipment. By the end of 1883, a remarkable 75 buildings had been constructed, transforming Chattanooga from a humble camp into a thriving town.
Recognizing the importance of infrastructure, the San Juan County Commission awarded George W. Seaman a contract to grade a wagon road from Chattanooga south to Silverton in 1883. This ambitious project aimed to strengthen the county’s ties with the mining district and establish Chattanooga as a key gateway community, vying for prominence with the rival town of Ouray. Simultaneously, the Red Mountain Sampling & Concentrating Company organized and built a mill to process the district’s low-grade ore, further enhancing Chattanooga’s economic significance.
A Supply Center in the Mountains
Chattanooga’s strategic location at a lower elevation than other towns in the mining district proved to be a significant advantage. It became a vital supply center for the surrounding area, providing essential goods and services to miners and prospectors working in the higher elevations. During the harsh winter months, when roads were impassable, goods, supplies, and ore were often transported on sleds, highlighting the ingenuity and resilience of the town’s inhabitants. As Chattanooga grew, it became the nucleus of a small collection of mines and the gateway to the major mines located to the north, solidifying its role as a crucial link in the region’s mining operations.
The Silverton Railroad and its Loop
In 1887, the arrival of the Silverton Railroad marked a turning point in Chattanooga’s history. The railroad connected the town to the outside world, facilitating the transportation of goods and people and further stimulating economic growth. Above the town, the Silverton Railroad constructed its famous loop, an engineering marvel that allowed trains to climb a steep grade. The loop, a 200-degree curve climbing 500 feet in approximately 1 1/4 miles, became a popular attraction and a testament to the ingenuity of the railroad engineers. Today, US 550 follows the route of the loop as it ascends to the summit of Red Mountain Pass, offering travelers a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
Peak and Decline
At its peak, Chattanooga boasted a population of 300 people, a testament to its economic vitality and attractiveness as a place to live and work. The town’s bustling business district included grocery stores, bakeries, a drugstore, two butcher shops, three boarding houses, two restaurants, two general stores, a hotel, and three saloons, catering to the diverse needs of its residents and visitors.
However, the seeds of decline were already sown. Mining activity in the immediate vicinity of Chattanooga began to wane, and the town’s role as a supply center diminished with the arrival of the railroad, which provided direct access to other markets. Chattanooga’s population began to shrink, and the town became increasingly dependent on traffic from the Red Mountain district.
Despite these challenges, Chattanooga weathered the recession of the late 1880s, demonstrating the resilience of its inhabitants. The town’s tiny business district continued to operate, featuring a mercantile store and a combination saloon, restaurant, and boardinghouse run by James Sheridan, providing essential services to the remaining residents and travelers.
The Silver Panic and the Final Blow
In 1890, an increase in the value of silver briefly buoyed the spirits of Chattanooga’s residents, raising hopes that several important mining ventures would revive the town. The Bonner Mine to the south and the Silver Ledge Mine to the north held the promise of renewed prosperity.
However, these hopes were soon dashed by the silver panic of 1893, which led to the closure of hundreds of silver mines throughout Colorado. Although gold was discovered in the area around the same time, attracting a new wave of miners and prospectors, it was not enough to save Chattanooga. In 1892, a devastating fire swept through the town, destroying most of the buildings. The town never rebuilt, and the post office closed in 1894, marking the beginning of the end for Chattanooga.
Lingering Presence
Despite the fire and the economic downturn, a small collection of buildings continued to serve as a stop on the Silverton Railroad, and a few prospectors and miners occasionally occupied cabins in the area. In 1900, the town still had a population of 55 people, demonstrating the tenacity of those who refused to abandon their homes and dreams.
In 1904, the owners of the Silver Ledge Mine built a mill at the site of Chattanooga, briefly restoring activity in the area. A post office named Silver Ledge opened the same year, reflecting the renewed optimism. The Silver Ledge Mine produced some free gold at this time, but it mainly yielded low-grade galena, a lead ore that frequently contains silver, zinc, cadmium, and arsenic. The mine was the first in the country to recover marketable amounts of zinc, drawing attention to the small town. At that time, it was one of only two mines still operating in the Red Mountain Mining District.
However, this revival was short-lived. Just two years later, the mine and the post office closed, signaling the final demise of Chattanooga. In 1910, the U.S. Census reported no one living in the community, marking its official abandonment.
A Silent Legacy
By 1920, the Silver Ledge Mine above Chattanooga was idle and dilapidated, a haunting reminder of the town’s failed promise. Today, only a few scattered buildings remain at the site, standing as silent witnesses to the rise and fall of a once-thriving mining town. Chattanooga, Colorado, is now a ghost town, a testament to the fleeting nature of fortune and the enduring spirit of the American West. Its story serves as a reminder of the dreams, hardships, and ultimate fate of those who sought their fortunes in the rugged mountains of Colorado.