Entry No. 72 — the Pueblo file — filed under: ruins
Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill
Winfield Scott Stratton staked his claim here on July 4, 1891, discovering a massive gold vein that made him the district's first millionaire. The mine was a major producer during the Cripple Creek gold rush until its closure in 1928. Today, the towering, restored wooden headframe, the ruins of the mill foundations, and the historic ore house and powerhouse still remain standing.
The story
On the Fourth of July in 1891, a carpenter turned prospector named Winfield Scott Stratton staked a claim on the slope above Cripple Creek and struck a gold vein rich enough to make him the district's very first millionaire. That claim grew into Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill, a monster operation that churned out ore continuously for nearly four decades before the machinery finally went silent in 1928.
What remains today is a massive industrial skeleton set high in the mountain air. A towering, restored wooden headframe still stands guard over the site, surrounded by the crumbling foundations of the old mill, the historic ore house, and the masonry powerhouse that once drove steam engines deep into the rock.
What it's like
You will spot the wooden headframe rising above Rangeview Road before you even park. The historic structures and open shafts are strictly fenced off for safety, so don't expect to climb inside the buildings or venture underground. Instead, you'll walk the public Independence Mill Site Trail, which wraps around the perimeter and provides clear, legal angles to photograph the mill ruins, stone foundations, and timber framing against the mountain backdrop.
The move: Hike along the Independence Mill Site Trail to view the impressive, restored wooden headframe and the historic ruins of the mill foundations while enjoying the mountain scenery.
📍 Before you go The historic mine structures and shafts are fenced off for safety, but they can be legally viewed and photographed from the public Independence Mill Site Trail.
- 📍 Cripple Creek
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Rangeview Rd, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.
Pair it with
- American Eagles Mine — Continue your Stratton deep-dive less than two miles away at another historic underground mine site tied to the famous gold baron.
- Phantom Canyon Road — Follow the gravel route of the narrow-gauge railway that once hauled Cripple Creek's gold ore down through the canyon.
- Eureka Tunnel Mine — Trade gold rush ruins for an abandoned fluorine mine tucked further into Pike National Forest.
Good to know
Can you go inside the historic mine buildings or down the shafts?
No. All mine shafts and historic buildings are fenced off for safety, but you can legally view and photograph everything from the public Independence Mill Site Trail.
What features are still visible at the site?
You can see the restored wooden headframe, the stone and concrete mill foundation ruins, the historic ore house, and the old powerhouse.
When was the mine established and when did it close?
Winfield Scott Stratton staked the claim on July 4, 1891, and the mine operated until its closure in 1928.
Where is the site located?
It is located along Rangeview Road in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · victorheritagesociety.com · fotospot.com
last checked: 2026-07-20