Eureka was a milling center for the 1873 discovery of the Sunnyside mineral vein. The Sunnyside Mine was located about one mile nothwest of the townsite. Gold, silver and lead were mined here. Eventually, the mill was expanded and the town prospered. It had a population of 2,000 people at its peak. Otto Mears ran his Silverton Northern Railway to Eureka in 1896. Sometime thereafter, the mill burned down and the town began to struggle. In 1914, the mill was rebuilt. But it closed in 1938. By 1942, the railroad tracks were pulled up and the post office closed. Today, all that remains are the mill foundation and a three story boarding house.
Howardsville was most likely named for prospector George W. Howard, who built a cabin here in 1872. The town was fisrt named Bullion City, after the mining company in the area that made the first big strike. In 1874, the name changed to Howardsville. The Little Nation Mine was also located nearby. The tram terminus for the mine is still standing today. By 1939, the mines had played out and most people moved away. The other remains include the general store, a log cabin, The Pride of the West Mill, and a few other buildings.
