Mines, Mills, and the Rise and Fall of Mining Towns (DRAKE HALL)
OSHR 6011Mining was the most significant industry in Colorado during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. If you veer off the beaten path in the Rocky Mountains, you will see the skeletons of abandoned mines and ghost towns and hear the eerie whispers as the wind blows through the ruins of an earlier time. While the cobwebs may be romantic, the rough and tough reality is what Colorado historian Ken Jessen shares in this very popular class. Ken will present information on mining technology and Colorado mines, including a discussion of milling technology and examples of mills. He will discuss essential Colorado minerals, including gold, silver, molybdenum, coal, uranium, iron, and gypsum, as well as stone quarries. Ken's focus will be on mining towns, their growth, and subsequent abandonment and will include an online tour of a mining museum, assay house, mines, and mining towns. At the end of this course, participants will have gained a better understanding of Colorado's early economic growth and possess a greater appreciation of mines and mills.
Kenneth Jessen has been teaching OLLI classes since 2014. He worked as a journalist for Northern Colorado newspapers for over four decades and, during that time, has had over 2,300 articles published. He has authored 22 books on Colorado history. Jessen holds a BSEE in electrical and electronic engineering, an M.B.A., and post-graduate coursework in telecommunications technology.
Notes
- A current OLLI membership is required to register for all courses and lectures.
- If you do not have a current Fall 2023 membership, one will be added to your cart at check-out.
- OLLI membership fees and course tuition are critical to the Institute’s sustainability and are non-refundable.