Study In Old Wood
Closeup of an old house in Ironton, Colorado circa 1880s.
Ironton was once a "major" city in the San Juan Mountains between Ouray and Silverton. A thousand people, over 300 structures including chain stores, waterworks, and twice-daily railroad service, the town died when the mines did; the post office closed in 1920. The last resident died in the 1960s.
Now overgrown and subject to the ravages of winter at 9800 ft in the high mountains, it is easy to get to and a number of structures still stand. A few miles south of Ouray, it lies just off US550 and is easily reached with 2wd vehicles in nice weather. I wouldn't take a passenger car to the townsite in rainy weather and only snow vehicles can reach it in winter.
