Crystal Mill: the wooden powerhouse on the Crystal River

You have probably seen this building without knowing where it is. A weathered wooden structure stands on a rock outcrop above the Crystal River, water sliding past below it, in the northern corner of Gunnison County. It is the Crystal Mill, and History Colorado calls it one of the most photographed historic structures in the state.

The name “mill” is a little misleading. History Colorado records that it was built in 1892 as a powerhouse. River water turned a wheel that ran an air compressor, and that compressed air was piped to power rock drills in nearby silver mines. The Colorado Encyclopedia notes it generated power for the Sheep Mountain Mining and Tunnel Company until sometime after 1917, then fell quiet along with the little town of Crystal beside it. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Here is the honest part to plan for. The mill sits past Marble, reached by a rough, narrow road that calls for a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, and only in the warmer months. It stands on private land, so most visitors photograph it from the road. If you would rather not drive it, guided jeep tours run out of Marble.

For the documented history, see History Colorado’s Crystal Mill page and the Colorado Encyclopedia.