Shenandoah-Dives Mill, former ore mill
The Shenandoah-Dives Mill, also known as the Mayflower Mill, is a large timber structure on a hillside overlooking the Animas River near Silverton, Colorado, where gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper were extracted from mined rock. The building complex uses gravity to move crushed ore through processing stages, from initial crushing to separation by weight and then froth flotation.
Construction started in 1925 using the latest machinery available at the time and was completed in six months, with operations beginning in early 1930. Over 60 years, the mill processed more than 9 million tons of ore and produced significant quantities of gold and silver before winding down around 1945.
The Mayflower name reflects the settlers' hopes for prosperity and discovery in the region. The site shows how mining shaped daily life and community identity in Silverton, with the mill standing as a physical reminder of the industry that sustained the area.
The site is accessible on foot, but the terrain is hilly and uneven, so sturdy footwear is essential. The mill is open for self-guided tours primarily in the summer months, and a museum shop on-site offers information and souvenirs about its history.
The aerial tramway that carried ore from the Mayflower Mine to the mill stretched nearly two miles, representing an impressive engineering achievement of its era. This transport system allowed efficient connection between the remote mine and the processing plant in the valley below.
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