Back In Time - Henson

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Henson, Colorado

Micro located near Henson on the amazing Alpine Loop.
Bring your own pen & tweezers. Do NOT disturb or deface any ruins.

Please make sure container is closed securely and re-hidden as well or better than you found it. Maintaining the difficulty rating depends on you.

History:

In August 1871 in Ute Indian territory, prospectors Henry Henson, Joel Mullin, Albert Meade, and Charles Goodwin discovered the Ute and Ulay (sometimes spelled Ule) veins on Henson Creek. Henson and his partners had to wait until 1874 signing of the Brunot Treaty with the Ute Indians to return and begin working their claim. In 1876, the Crooke brothers bought the Ute-Ulay mine for $125,000. In 1880, the property was sold again for $1,200,000. At this time, the town was laid out and named for Henry Henson. By 1893, the mine was in full operation with many buildings and a tramway from the upper mine to the mill. The Ute-Ulay was the largest mining operation in the San Juan Mountains.

In 1899, the Auric Mining Company leased and operated the mine. Many of the miners belonged to the recently formed Henson Miners Union. Living conditions for the miners were deplorable. The employee housing was poorly built, drafty, and had leaky roofs. Tensions rose when the company began requiring that all single men and men without children live in the company housing and pay exorbitant rates. On March 14, 1899, the Italians (a large portion of the men) began a strike using firearms and ammunition stolen from the Lake City Armory.

Lake City Sheriff James Deck met with the striking men. When negotiations failed, Deck wired Governor Charles Thomas and 4 companies of National Guard troops were deployed along with the Italian Ambassador. On March 16, the strikers realized that they did not have a chance and ended the strike. The strike settlement with the union illegally stated that all the Italians must leave Hinsdale County. Single men were given 1 week to leave while men with families were given 6 weeks. Also on March 16, the Lake City Silver World newspaper carried at ad placed by the company superintendent Sam Nicholson stating "We can use about 75 men…Italians need not apply". The firearms and ammunition were never recovered. Sam Nicholson later became a US Senator.

In 1901, the Auric Mining Company installed a hydroelectric and steam power plant. The only other power plant like it was in Leadville. Over time, several areas of the mine and mill were remodeled and the Ute-Ulay mine operated until 1953. Today, much of Henson and the Ute-Ulay mine remains and can be easily viewed from the road as well as established pullouts.

Henson dated 1883-1889 by Frank E. Dean	Miners dated 1883-1889 by Frank E. Dean	Henson 2011

Mine Housing dated 1899	Jiovanni and Assunta Guadagnoli Family dated 1899	2011 Residents: Marmot Couple

North Buildings 2011	North Buildings 2011	Mill 2011

South Buildings & Ore Track:

1942 by Muriel Sibell Wolle		2011		2011 Closeup

The Collapse of the Concrete Dam & Ore Track:

1942 by Muriel Sibell Wolle. Shows Schoolhouse.		1962 by Al Bachman		2011 Front & Back

Please take some time to reflect back on the lives of these pioneers and the effort it took to make Colorado such a great state!!

Back In Time Series:

Back In Time is a series of caches placed near historic sites to remind us to remember our past. We can learn so much from studying the past. This series will provide a history tour of Colorado.

Their days are gone but not forgotten!!