Crystal Mill

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Crystal Mill, or the Old Mill in Crystal, Colorado in the United States, was actually not a mill in the sense of being a factory, but was instead a power generating station.

It did not generate electrical power, but rather used a water turbine to drive an air compressor. The compressed air was then used to power other machinery or tools.

Today it stands as a Colorado icon, and is reputed to be the most photographed site in the state.

[edit] Names

In the 21st century, the mill is usually called the Crystal Mill or the Old Crystal Mill. Many decades ago, when the mill was still in use, it was called the Sheep Mountain Power House at the Lost Horse Millsite, or simply the Lost Horse Mill. Sometimes it is erroneously called the Dead Horse Mill.[1] [2]

[edit] History

The mill was constructed in 1893. Originally it had a horizontal waterwheel which generated compressed air for miners in the nearby silver mines. It fell into disuse in 1917 when the Sheep Mountain Mine closed. The mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 5, 1985.[3]