Located
Unknown
ELEVATION
10,750 Feet
ABANDONED
Unknown
“Commodities such as gold and silver have a world market that transcends national borders, politics, religions, and race. A person may not like someone else's religion, but he'll accept his gold.”
The American Eagle was one of several important mines at Altman (others were the Buena Vista, and the Pharmacist). The Stratton Cripple Creek Mining and Development Company purchased the mine in 1895. By 1902, its shafts reached down as far as 1,540 feet. Production was on-again and off-again until 1936 when a rich strike was made. By then, the workings had reached 2,100 feet. Ore valued at $7.00 per pound began shipping with regularity.
In recent years, the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company preserved the mine's surface buildings and set up an overlook of its Cresson over-pit mine. At an altitude of 10,750 feet, it commands a fantastic view of the valley below. In 2015, the Cresson mine was sold to the Newmont Mining Corporation, and the overlook was permanently closed, ostensibly for safety reasons. Hopefully, the previous owner's attempt to preserve at least some of the history of this grand mining district will not be in vain.