Virginia Dale, Colorado Stage Station Treasure
Nestled in the northern reaches of Larimer County, Colorado, a mere four miles south of the Wyoming border and approximately 45 miles northwest of Fort Collins, lies Virginia Dale. This location, now a ghost town, holds within it a rich history intertwined with the legendary Overland Trail and the allure of lost treasure. The heart of this historical locale is the Virginia Dale Stage Station, a silent sentinel of a bygone era, listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Its very existence whispers tales of stagecoaches, outlaws, and a payroll lost to time, a story that continues to captivate those who seek to understand the American West.
The narrative unfolds in 1863, a year etched in the annals of the Overland Trail’s history. A stagecoach, laden with the responsibility of transporting an army payroll, journeyed towards Fort Sanders in Wyoming Territory. The cargo, a significant sum of $60,000 – equivalent to roughly $1 million in today’s currency – consisted of ten and twenty-dollar gold coins. This gold represented months of back pay for the soldiers stationed at Fort Sanders, a much-anticipated reward for their service in the harsh frontier. However, fate, in the guise of masked outlaws, intervened, diverting the gold from its intended recipients.
The ambush occurred just a mile shy of the Virginia Dale Station, near a place known as Long View Hill. Six masked bandits waylaid the stagecoach, their intentions clear and their methods ruthless. They seized the strongbox containing the precious gold coins, marking the beginning of a legend that would echo through the years. The outlaws, having secured their prize, retreated westward towards the rugged, wooded foothills that characterized the landscape. There, in the seclusion of the wilderness, they forced open the strongbox, liberating the gold coins and burying their ill-gotten gains, concealing their loot from prying eyes.
The bandits’ triumph, however, was short-lived. The long arm of the law, in the form of the U.S. Cavalry, swiftly pursued the perpetrators. The cavalry, relentless in their pursuit of justice, caught up with the outlaws, and in a violent confrontation, the bandits met their demise. The cavalry, after securing the scene, discovered the iron strongbox near a creek. Its condition told a story of violence and desperation: the sides and bottom were riddled with bullet holes, a testament to the chaotic struggle. And, most importantly, the strongbox was empty, its golden contents vanished.
The Overland Trail, during this period, was notorious for its vulnerability to outlaw activity. The vast expanse of the territory, coupled with its rugged terrain, provided ample opportunities for bandits to operate, making it a dangerous route for travelers and shipments alike. The area surrounding Virginia Dale was no exception. The landscape was dotted with numerous opportunistic hideouts, offering safe havens for those who sought to profit from lawlessness.
One such hideout, known as Robbers Roost, was located atop Table Mountain, a prominent geological feature situated a mere mile northeast of the Virginia Dale Stage Station. The location was so frequented by outlaws that they constructed a cabin there, transforming it into a semi-permanent base of operations. Table Mountain offered a strategic advantage to its occupants. Its steep, nearly perpendicular cliffs and a rim of loose shale made it exceptionally difficult to climb, providing a natural defense against unwanted visitors. From their vantage point, the outlaws could monitor the surrounding area, planning their next strike with relative impunity.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the Virginia Dale saga is the figure of Joseph "Jack" Slade, the former Station Master. At the time of the robbery, rumors circulated that Slade was the mastermind behind the audacious heist. Although not as widely recognized as some of his outlaw contemporaries, Jack Slade was nonetheless a notorious character in his own right. He was known for his volatile temper, his penchant for heavy drinking, and his violent past, which included accusations of murder. Slade’s reputation and his intimate knowledge of the Overland Trail and its operations made him a prime suspect in the gold robbery.
Later in his life, Jack Slade relocated to Virginia City, Montana, a bustling mining town rife with opportunity and lawlessness. True to form, Slade quickly found himself in trouble. Shortly after his arrival, he reportedly wrecked a saloon, an act that led to his arrest. However, Slade’s defiance of authority did not end there. He allegedly tore up the arrest warrant and threatened the judge, demonstrating his utter contempt for the legal system. His actions ultimately sealed his fate. Despite his pleas for mercy, Jack Slade was summarily hanged by vigilantes, bringing an end to his turbulent life.
The story of Jack Slade takes another turn with the introduction of Virginia Dale, his girlfriend or common-law wife. Following Slade’s execution, Virginia was brought to Virginia City by one of Slade’s friends. She retrieved his body and, in a macabre act of devotion, preserved it in alcohol within a metal casket. For several months, she kept the casket beneath her bed, a constant reminder of her lost love. Eventually, she transported Slade’s remains to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she buried him in the old Mormon Cemetery. There, in the hallowed ground of the cemetery, Jack Slade’s body rests to this day.
Despite the capture and demise of the suspected outlaws, the gold taken from the stagecoach near Virginia Dale has never been recovered. Its whereabouts remain a mystery, fueling speculation and inspiring countless treasure hunts over the years. The allure of the lost gold continues to draw visitors to the area, each hoping to uncover the hidden riches that have eluded discovery for over a century.
Today, Virginia Dale stands as a testament to the rich and often turbulent history of the American West. The old Overland Trail Stage Station, a tangible link to the past, is a reminder of the vital role this location played in the development of the region. Recent efforts have been made to preserve the station, ensuring that its historical significance is recognized and protected for future generations.
The stage station is located at the end of County Road 43F, approximately one mile east of U.S. Highway 287. A monument marking the location of the station stands at the beginning of C.R. 43F. The county road leads through a picturesque gorge beneath Lover’s Leap, past a working ranch, and directly to the station. While the station itself is situated on private property, access to the site is provided by the county road. Visitors are welcome to photograph the grounds and the exterior of the building, but are respectfully requested not to trespass onto the private property.