Entry No. 75 — the Pueblo file — filed under: history
American Eagles Mine
Originally established in 1895 by gold baron Winfield Scott Stratton, the American Eagles Mine was once the highest underground mine in the Cripple Creek District, operating at 10,570 feet. To save its historic structures from active open-pit mining, its massive 1890s wooden headframe, blacksmith shop, and superintendent's home were relocated to a scenic overlook in 2017. Today, these preserved relics stand as a silent monument to the area's gold rush era, accessible via a short hike.
The story
In 1895, gold baron Winfield Scott Stratton staked out an operation perched higher than any other underground shaft in the Cripple Creek District. Operating at 10,570 feet above sea level, the American Eagles Mine punched deep into high-altitude granite, dropping shafts past the 1,900 and 2,100-foot levels in search of rich gold veins.
Decades after the underground shafts fell silent, modern open-pit surface mining began chewing through the same mountain. Rather than letting heavy machinery pulverize the remaining timber structures, a preservation effort in 2017 physically relocated the entire complex—including the massive 1890s wooden headframe, the blacksmith shop, and the superintendent's home—to a high scenic overlook on Little Grouse Mountain.
What it's like
To reach the complex, you hike the short Little Grouse Mountain Trail up to the crest. At the top, the relocated 1890s timber headframe sits completely exposed to the high-elevation wind, standing right on the lip of a massive drop. You cannot step inside the superintendent's home or cross into the headframe—the timber framing is structurally fragile and locked behind security fencing for obvious safety reasons—but standing along the perimeter gives you a direct, vertiginous look right into the sprawling active open-pit gold mine operating below.
The move: Hike the scenic Little Grouse Mountain Trail together to reach the overlook, where you can photograph the towering wooden headframe and enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.
📍 Before you go The scenic overlook and hiking trail are open to the public, but the historic mine structures and buildings are structurally unsafe and off-limits to enter.
- 📍 Cañon City
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: PR5M+V4, Cañon City, CO 81212, USA
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.
Pair it with
- Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill — Visit Winfield Scott Stratton's original 1891 claim less than two miles away to see where his mining empire began before he built the high-elevation Eagles site.
- Phantom Canyon Road — Drive the unpaved 30-mile shelf road that follows the old Florence & Cripple Creek narrow-gauge rail grade used to haul gold ore out of these mountains.
- Skyline Drive — Pair high-altitude mining ruins with a drive along a razorback ridge carved into the rock face by inmate labor in 1905.
Good to know
How do I access the site?
You reach the relocated mine buildings by hiking the Little Grouse Mountain Trail to the scenic overlook.
Can you go inside the historic buildings?
No. All original buildings, including the headframe and superintendent's house, are structurally unsafe and off-limits to enter.
Is there an admission fee?
No, the hiking trail and scenic overlook are free and open to the public, though you should check access conditions before heading out.
What else can you see from the overlook?
Along with the preserved 1890s timber relics, the site provides 360-degree mountain views and an aerial vantage point over the active open-pit mining pit.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: stcfg.com · cityofvictor.com · Tripadvisor · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-20