Colorado Ghost Town Books/Maps
Waldorf Colorado And the Santiago mine Townsite - Ghost town
Nothing left but tailings at Waldorf but the Santiago Mine above the old townsite is well worth a visit. The mine and mill have plenty of items to see. Waldorf started in 1868 and was an important stage stop as you went over Argentine Pass. Some claim that over 1/6th of the state of Colorado can be seen at the top of the pass. There were at least nine mines in the area that produced millions in gold and silver. Waldorf was never much of a town. Even the post office was only open for a half dozen years.
Tourists used to use the train, built by the Argentine Central RR, and all the switchbacks it had to get to the top. I have followed the old railroad grade to the top and it is spectacular. In the neighborhood of 13,000 feet. I stood a little too close to the edge and when the wind stopped blowing I almost went over the side. Lesson learned. Don't lean into the wind when standing at the top of a mountain edge.
Photos Courtesy of Mike Sinnwell October 2006
Rocky Mountain Profiles Colorado Ghost Towns and Colorado Photos – Niwot Colorado