The Sound Democrat Mill

The Sound Democrat Mill was built in 1905-06 to process the ore from the Sound Democrat Mine and the nearby Silver Queen Mine. The mill sits in Placer Gulch just above 12,000 feet and operated until 1914. Although in operation for a number of years the mill processed only $20,000 in ore concentrates. Incidental lead, silver, and zinc kept the mill running because the expected gold was slow in showing up. The ore concentrates were taken from the mill to Animas Forks, and then loaded on the train for shipment to the smelters in Durango.

For those of you who have visited Durango, the train ride which the ore took was similar to the train ride you can still take today between Durango and Silverton on the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.

We made the trip to the mill on our quads with a group.


The mill has been partially restored and although not anything like it was, it is structurally sound and can be entered safely.


Much of the old heavy iron equipment is still in place...


including the crushers and a couple of weathered old mill operators.


Can you imagine the work involved in getting this heavy equipment into place. Sure were a tough bunch in those days!!!