In the hills of Idaho Springs, Colorado, sits the Phoenix Gold Mine. Built during the Colorado Gold Rush of the 1870s, this mine was once filled with miners seeking fortune. But as they dug deeper, tragedy struck, leaving the mine with a haunting legacy that endures to this day.
The Phoenix Gold Mine was a prosperous site, drawing workers eager for gold. But the mine was also dangerous. Cave-ins, accidents, and rockfalls were common, often claiming the lives of miners. Safety practices were minimal back then, and some of these men were never recovered. Their bodies—and some say their spirits—remain trapped within the mine’s depths.
One spirit is seen most often: Dutch Nels, a former miner with a tragic end. Stories say he was friendly but private. During a deadly dispute, Nels lost his life inside the Phoenix Mine. People now say his spirit wanders the tunnels where he worked his last shift. Many visitors report feeling an intense, eerie presence near those areas. Some even see a shadowy figure or feel an icy chill, as if Nels’s spirit still guards the mine.
Paranormal Activity and Investigations
The Phoenix Gold Mine has drawn paranormal investigators from all over. In one investigation, ghost hunters recorded a voice saying, “Get out,” though no one else was nearby. Others have reported flashlights flickering or cameras failing to work in certain areas. These haunted spots are known for cold drafts and odd sounds.
One guide heard the faint tapping of a pickaxe in the tunnels. She thought a coworker was nearby and called out, but she received only silence in return. Many guests have also heard whispers, footsteps, or tapping sounds, as if ghosts are still at work in the mine.
Today, the Phoenix Gold Mine is open to the public, attracting ghost hunters and curious visitors. Tour guides share stories of the mine’s haunted past and warn guests to respect the spirits. Every Halloween, thrill-seekers come, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dutch Nels or to hear the ghostly sounds for themselves.
Visitors say they feel chills in certain areas and sometimes see flickering lights in the distance. If you’re brave enough to enter, don’t be surprised if you hear the faint tap of a pickaxe. The spirits of miners past may still be at work, a reminder that some who went down never made it out.
