Montgomery, Colorado: A Ghost Town Beneath the Water

As time marches on, many of Colorado's historic mining towns are now just a marvel of the past. Mountain communities that were once bustling with prospectors and their families now sit quietly undisturbed, tucked away from the rest of modern civilization. Some of these historic homesteads can still be visited today. Exploring these ghost towns gives a glimpse into Colorado's past.

However, some of these long-abandoned sites have significantly changed since their time of prime.

Montgomery, Colorado is one of those places.

Little evidence remains of the historic mining town of Montgomery because most of it is now submerged underwater.

Montgomery was founded during the state's silver and gold boom in 1861. At its peak, Montgomery was home to over 1,000 people. The town boasted several hotels, a dance hall, five sawmills, a saloon, and 150 cabins. But like most of Colorado's mining camps of that era, residents hightailed it out once the riches dried up.

Several decades later, the deserted town was purchased by the city of Colorado Springs. In 1957, the city built Montgomery Reservoir as part of the Continental-Hoosier System Project. The beautiful reservoir sits at 10,873 feet and serves as a source of drinking water for the region. It also offers fantastic fishing and other outdoor recreational opportunities.

Related: Explore What's Left of the Abandoned Town of Apex, Colorado

Unfortunately, during the construction process, the 95-acre body of water flooded into the surrounding area, washing away the remnants of the town of Montgomery.

Magnolia Mill is all that's left standing of the once-thriving mining community. Hikers can make their way to the historic structure, which sits atop a mountain in the Mosquito Range, behind the dam.

The entire rest of the townsite is hidden underwater, only to be remembered through stories of the past.

Check out the video below to get a better view of the underwater ghost town.