Crystal Mill, Historic power station in Crystal, Colorado.
Crystal Mill is a wooden power station perched on a rocky ledge above the Crystal River in the mountains near Marble, Colorado. Water flows directly beneath the structure, and the surrounding landscape consists of pine forests and steep mountain slopes.
George C. Eaton and B.S. Phillips built the facility in 1893 to supply compressed air for drilling equipment at Sheep Mountain silver mines. Operations ceased in 1917 when mining activity declined and the area's mines closed down.
Photographers travel here throughout the year to capture the building balanced on its rocky perch above the rushing water below. The location draws hikers and off-road enthusiasts who appreciate the remote mountain setting and the way the wooden frame contrasts with the surrounding wilderness.
Reaching the site from Marble requires a four-wheel drive vehicle because the route consists of unpaved roads with difficult sections. Summer months offer the best access conditions, while winter typically brings snow and ice that make the road impassable.
The facility relied on a horizontal waterwheel that drove air compressors to power pneumatic tools in nearby silver mines. This engineering approach was uncommon at the time, as most mines used steam power directly on site.
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