We decided to take it easy on Sunday and explore some of the local sites near Allie’s parents’ house in Alma. First up was the Magnolia Mill and Montgomery Reservoir. This site is right off Highway 9 between Alma and Breckenridge, just below Hoosier Pass. I have driven past countless times without stopping, but it’s easily accessible and requires only a short walk, perfect for a quick visit.
We parked at the lot west of Montgomery Reservoir, just before the road becomes difficult 4wd. From here it’s only a 1/4-mile round trip walk to the Magnolia Mill on a dirt road. The mill is impossible to miss as the road goes directly underneath it.
In the late 1850s to early 1860s, gold miners and prospectors flocked to this region in an effort to strike it rich. Countless mines were excavated, a few ore-processing mills were built, and the town of Montgomery sprang up to provide housing and services to miners. The Magnolia Mill processed gold and silver ore from mines high above, brought down by aerial trams. The mill that exists today is the replacement built in 1930 after the original mill burned down. Unfortunately the mill was closed to entry a few years ago and exploration is only allowed outside.
The town of Montgomery was situated just below the Magnolia Mill. It had as many as 1,000 residents as well as hotels, various stores, cabins and tents, and of course, saloons. As the gold rushes died down, the land was sold to the town of Colorado Springs, who built the Montgomery Reservoir in 1954. Most of the town’s buildings were hauled away to be used in other parts of the county before the new reservoir was filled. The old townsite is underneath Montgomery Reservoir.
We walked along the perimeter of the reservoir to the dam on the other side, about 1.5 miles round trip. There were quite a few people out enjoying the day on the reservoir, fishing or enjoying some outdoor family time. I can only imagine how busy this area gets during tourist season.
We made one more quick stop before lunch in Alma; the Buckskin Cemetery. This is the current cemetery for the town of Alma, but it has many historic graves from the gold rush era as well. The cemetery is in the forest and a bit spooky, especially since many of the graves are unmarked, their identities lost to time. I did not take any pictures.
I would like to acknowledge that the Magnolia Mill and Montgomery Reservoir are on the ancestral land of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute).
Chelsea
Colorado Chelsea 
Like you, I have driven past this site on Highway 9 many times in the past, but unlike you, I have never explored it. Now that I no longer make that trip regularly, it might be a while before I get back up there.
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This time of year is probably not the best time to visit, though I think you can snowshoe to the mill (if you’re into that).
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I think summer would be nicer, and I’m not in a hurry to drive Highway 9 right now. At least someone in Colorado is getting snow!
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The Magnolia Mill looks like it’s about to tip over at any second. I can see why it’s been closed off. I wouldn’t want to walk through here, especially the middle part.
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I might go in the lower sections, especially if it has a dirt floor like some of the other old buildings I’ve been in. But there is NO way I’d walk across that walkway!
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Some interesting industrial history amongst the hills, there. Pity it’s been alliwed to deteriorate.
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I agree, but there are so many cabins, mills, mines, etc that it’s just not possible to keep up on restoring/maintaining everything. There are a lot of places that HAVE been restored and are being maintained as museums or historic sites. The Argo Mill in Idaho Springs is a really good example of a restored mill, and they offer tours as well!
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Good to hear. I think that it’s important to rember our industrial history and the conditions and environments workers had to endure.
Hope you Have a good New Year 😉
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I hope you have a good New Year too! 🙂
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