Located at an elevation of 11,510
feet, Animas Forks was established in 1877 as La Plata City. At
its height in 1883, the town had a population of 450, a hotel,
general store, saloon, two mills, and a post office. Animas Forks
was noted as a crossroads, with roads leading from Lake City,
Silverton, Mineral Point, and Ouray. The town even had a telephone
system, with lines running over Engineer Pass from Lake City.
By 1901, Animas Forks began to decline, but saw
a resurgence between 1904 and 1916 with the 
extension
of the railroad from Eureka and the construction of the Gold Prince
Mill. The mill was moved in 1917 and by the 1930's, Animas Forks
was abandoned. Today, ruins of many buildings, inlcluding the
two-story Duncan House, remain.