We had tickets to the Creed Repertory Theater and decided to head out early and do a little sightseeing and visit the Creede Underground Mining Museum.
We made a few stops to take in the beautiful Fall color.
Then it was on to the Underground Mining Museum.
We were surprised to learn that the Mining Museum was never a working mine. In 1990, it was blasted out of solid rock cliff by three Creede miners. Laborers and volunteers completed all the other work and the next summer, tours were given to show actual mining in operation.
Blasting powder
During the summer, guided tours are led by retired miners who explain equipment and methods of mining. Summer hours are over now and self-guided audio tours are offered.
The job of empting the ‘honey hole’ was given to the newest miners.
We learned all about blasting, mucking, stopeing, and blacksmithing.
In the mine there are 'foot walls' and 'hanging walls'. On the foot wall, the ore looks like it is lying. On the hanging wall, the ore looks like it is hanging out or down.
To 'stope' is to mine the ore between the hanging wall and foot wall from level to level.
To 'stope' is to mine the ore between the hanging wall and foot wall from level to level.
Blacksmith
Giant bellows
Hoist
After the mining museum we had lunch then headed to the theater. It was a busy day in Creede - there was also a car show going on down main street.
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