In 1879, a little site changed its name from Forest City to St. Elmo. In 1880, gold and silver were discovered here. St.Elmo quickly became a mining town and supply hub for Tin Cup, Aspen and other surrounding mines. The railroad was built to St. Elmo and the town grew. Gradually, all the mines began to fail. With the Closing of the Alpine Tunnel in 1910, St. Elmo started to decine.
Today, there are lots of old buildings. Still standing are an 1885 hotel, an 1882 school, an 1881 cottage, livery stable and blacksmith shop, and many others (over 40 old buildings in all). This is a ghost town explorers paradise.
To get to St. Elmo, you can start in Fairplay (after seeing Buckskin Joe and Como). Take Highway 285 southwest to Johnson Village (34 miles). Take a left and continue south 6 miles to Nathrop. Go .3 miles past Nathrop, take a right on Road 162 and head west. Take this road 15 miles to St. Elmo. This road will become FR 211, but you are on the right road.
