Colorado's Ten Mile Mining District was north of Leadville and south of Copper Mountain. Sandwiched between two mountain ranges, fully two miles above sea level, the district had a remarkable history that was a microcosm of the mining West. Although Ten Mile's history and situation were unique, the district reflected developments throughout Colorado and the mining West. Each new discovery triggered a larger-scale mobilization of capital and labor,...

"Eben Smith, little-known in Colorado mining history. A successful fortune seeker who traveled to California during the gold rush. Moved to Colorado in 1860 with business partner Jerome Chaffee and involved in nearly every major mining camp. He was eulogized as "dean of mining in Colorado"--