Photo Collections

Most dogs on the western frontier were considered working dogs, but as the photos in this collection demonstrate, they were also reliable and cherished companions to miners and prospectors.  Continue Reading

While the miners and prospectors that opened the vast American West are known for the log cabins they often used for shelter, some of the more eccentric dwellings they built are lesser known but equally interesting. “Miners Cabins: Bottles, Barrels, and Dugouts” takes a look at some of the more eccentric dwellings used by early miners.  Continue Reading

Established in 1876, Ouray, Colorado was positioned at the north end of the rugged San Juan mountains, in a box canyon that served as the gateway to many rich mining districts. The town would have been the ideal commerce and transportation center for a large part of the region of not for one problematic detail.  Continue Reading

The discovery of gold or silver in the West was usually followed by a rush of people attempting to arrive at the new district first to get established in mining or business. New mining camps were hastily constructed out of materials that could be easily transported over great distances and on difficult terrain. The most  Continue Reading