Crested Butte Coal Mine
Location: Gunnison County, Colorado
Years of Operation: 1881-1952
Total Production (tons): 10,248,600
"Joker" or "Big Mine"
The town of Crested Butte was incorporated in July 4th, 1880. The Crested Butte mine was established by the Colorado Coal and Iron Company in September of 1881. The elevation of the mine was nine thousand and eight hundred feet and twenty seven and a half miles north of Gunnison. The first mine established by the CC&I company was named Joker or Jokerville. In 1884 a mine explosion that killed sixty employees caused the abandonment of the mine. Another access point to the same coal seam was established in 1885, half a mile west of the original access point. The second access point was operational for ten years before it too was abandoned. In March of 1895 the first fifty coke ovens were completed on site. All coal produced that was not used for coke was sent via narrow gauge railways of D.&RG. Railroad company to Gunnison, and then on to Salida where the product would be transfered to normal gauge rail cars.
By 1902 Crested Butte became the commercial center of what was called the great Elk Mountain coal and metal mining district. Now a popular ski and tourist destination, Crested Butte began as a CF&I company coal town.
In November of 1917 CF&I purchased the lands and coal from the Durango Land and Coal Company
As with any mining the work was often dangerous and accidents and disasters often occurred. CF&I kept records of all accidents and employed artists to render sketches of accidents to help complete their records. Below is one such sketch and explanation of an accident.
By 1902 Crested Butte became the commercial center of what was called the great Elk Mountain coal and metal mining district. Now a popular ski and tourist destination, Crested Butte began as a CF&I company coal town.
In November of 1917 CF&I purchased the lands and coal from the Durango Land and Coal Company
As with any mining the work was often dangerous and accidents and disasters often occurred. CF&I kept records of all accidents and employed artists to render sketches of accidents to help complete their records. Below is one such sketch and explanation of an accident.
