Gunnison History Tracker
Star Mine
The Italian Mountain region was active from 1879 through World War II. By 1905, the Star was the leading silver and lead mine in the area. In fact, the mine operated almost continuously from 1890 to 1971, one of the longest runs of any mine in the county. The Star Mine is also notable for its intact mining buildings. The buildings and mine works are noted as one of the best in the county at the turn of the 20th century.
The Italian Mountain region was active from 1879 through World War II. By 1905, the Star was the leading silver and lead mine in the area. In fact, the mine operated almost continuously from 1890 to 1971, one of the longest runs of any mine in the county. The Star Mine is also notable for its intact mining buildings. The buildings and mine works are noted as one of the best in the county at the turn of the 20th century.
The Star Mine is located in the Tin Cup Mining District in the Northwestern portion of Taylor Park. It is located in the cirque basin to the east side of Italian Mountain, North Italian Mountain, and Lambertson Peak at an elevation of approximately 11,650 feet, just below timberline. The Star Mine site includes a fully equipped shaft house, and two, two-story bunkhouses/offices. The site also housed a sawmill, of which only the sliding carriage remains.
The site retains a high degree of historical contents including a complete set of equipment and machinery. The hoisting system within the shaft house is intact and possesses all its components. The system includes a single-drum steam hoist, two large locomotive boilers, plumbing, a two-post gallows head frame. The blacksmith shop is equipped with original tools; and the assay shop is almost as complete. The boardinghouses feature furniture and historic artifacts, as well as dated graffiti left by the original miners.
