Photos: The Story of Colorado’s Beautiful Crystal Mill Power Station

Crystal Mill is one of the most photographed historic sites in the state of Colorado. It's easy to see why. The old mill along the edge of the river has been around 129 years and looks like the old west meets the seven dwarfs mining house.

The ghost town of Crystal City, and the historic Crystal Mill site, are only accessible during the summer months.  A visit requires a 4X4 vehicle with high clearance.

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How Old Is Colorado's Crystal Mill Site?

The Crystal Mill was finished in 1893 and powered the Sheep Mountain Tunnel and Mining company's facilities in the area. Crystal City grew to a population of around 500 people for a couple of decades, but as the mines closed between 1915 and 1917, the population of the town fell to just a couple of residents.

Where is Colorado's Historic Crystal Mill?

The Crystal Mill and the Ghost Town of Crystal City are nearest to the town of Marble, Colorado. Head to Marble for tours to Crystal Mill on horseback or to find a jeep tour of the site. You can also take the 9-mile hike to the site at Crystal City from the town of Marble. The Mill is about a two-hour and thirty-minute drive from Grand Junction.

How Do You Get To Crystal City and the Crystal Mill Site?

Marble is located about seven miles off Highway 133 on County Road 3. The mill site is a 5 to 10-mile drive from Marble. The mill is located a short distance from the ghost town of Crystal City.  We'll include a map with directions in the photo gallery below.