Hard Tack Mine & Museum Lake City, Colorado

Hard Tack Mine & Museum
County Road 20 (Engineer Pass Road)
2 1/4 miles from Lake City, CO 81235

More than 100 years old the Hardtack Mine tunnel was made by the employees of the Hidden Treasure Mine Co. It was supposed to be an underground transport tunnel for the Hidden Treasure's ore production located more than a quarter mile up the mountain. Mining accidents along with dwindling financial woes halted the work in 1907 and the connection was never completed.

Treasure City or Treasureville as it was to become known was a collection of shacks and buildings in and around the Hidden Treasure and Hardtack Mines. A bustling little community from the 1890's until 1930, the mine produced more than a million and a half dollars in silver ore. The present location had a mill, mine offices, a bank, boarding houses, and a commissary. One mile up the road at the Ute - Ulay Lake City Mines was a one room schoolhouse for the miners children.

With the decline of metal ore production, especially silver in the 1930's the curtailment and existence of the Hidden Treasure Mine and Treasureville was inevitable. Another part of the Hinsdale County Galena Mining District was gone.

The Hardtack Mine is owned and operated by George and Beth Hurd both being home grown Lake Citians. A one time hard rock miner himself George has a wealth of mining and mineral expertise. His knowledge of the local mining history is unmatched and you can tell it on this tour. Come see how the miners really lived and experience the bygone age of Lake City mining.

Along with daughter Buffy, and grandson Logan welcome to the Hardtack Mine.

Contact Information

Hard Tack Mine & Museum
County Road 20 (Engineer Pass Road)
2 1/4 miles from Lake City, CO 81235

Phone: 970.944.2506
Email: hardtackmine@centurytel.net