Minnie Mine

Men outside the Blue Hill Mining Company mill at the Minnie Mine east of Breckenridge.

The Minnie Mine began underground operations in the late 1870s, part of Breckenridge’s second mining boom that infused the town with investors and infrastructure. The Minnie operated intermittently for nearly a century, adapting to shifts in technology and demand. Over time, new features were added, including a boardinghouse for workers (located below near French Gulch Road) and a mill that processed ore into a valuable grade for shipping to smelters.

The Traylor Shaft at the Minnie Mine east of Breckenridge.

In the 1920s, as mining activity declined, investors made a bold attempt to revitalize the mine by constructing the ambitious Traylor Shaft. This effort aimed to access previously untapped ore deposits. Supporting the new shaft was a machine shop equipped with an air compressor, blacksmith hearth, and a changing room for miners. You can still see the remains of the machine shop and compressor foundations in front of you. The Traylor Shaft’s headframe stands just behind you.

The Minnie Mine’s final significant effort took place in the 1950s, but within a few years, the remaining ore was exhausted, and the mine closed for good.

Please help preserve this historic site. For your safety and to protect its remnants, refrain from climbing on structures or removing any artifacts.

Men outside the Blue Hill Mining Company boardinghouse at the Minnie Mine east of Breckenridge.