Orient Colorado September 2019
The discovery of coal lead to the 1880 establishment of Orient. It was the largest producer of iron ore in Colorado. With a population of near four hundred there are many remains to be seen. The miners used to trek down the mountain to the General Store at Valley View Hot Springs to cash their checks. If they went there today, they would discover a nudist colony. The mine was operated by the Colorado Coal and Iron company on and off until 1930 when the mine entrance was dynamited to be closed. The Post Office operated from 1894 to 1905. CF&I stripped the buildings of New Orient of everything but foundation to use the materials elsewhere and the place was abandoned in 1933. During the second World War the buildings were dismantled for the material to support the war. Many foundations, including those of outhouses, part of a tipple, the usual dumps and miscellaneous trash left behind.
I have heard at least four different versions of how Orient got its name. None of which I find creditable. I personally believe it was named after the mine. It is believed that the name Orient came from the Old French word meaning east (rising sun), since the mine is located on the eastern side of the San Luis Valley. There is no evidence of Chinese or other Asian miners working in the mine. The Orient Mine had two associated town sites – one in the upper area in the early years and the lower town site which was active in the early 1900’s. Today nothing remains of the towns except stories and a few foundations. It is owned and maintained along with interpretive signs along the hiking path by the Orient Land Trust.