Malta - Colorado Ghost Town

MALTA

NAME: Malta
COUNTY: Lake
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 5
CLIMATE: Cold winter with snow, cool summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Summer

COMMENTS: Located in the mouth of California Gulch.
REMAINS: A few foundations.

Malta got its start in 1875 when a smelter was built to handle the ores of the Homestake region. By 1878, Malta had two hotels, over fifty homes, a post office, the usual number of saloons and a racetrack. The racetrack was built in 1879 at a cost of $5,000 and became a showplace for horses belonging to the carbonate kings of Leadville. In 1884, Malta was little more than a junction for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The smelters were only marginally successful and as larger and more modern smelters were built in Leadville, Malta simply could not compete. Malta never quite became a ghost town but lingered close to it throughout the years. Malta is located at the mouth of California Gulch, where the early boom in the area took place. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

Malta got its start in 1875 when a smelter was built to handle the ores of the Homestake region. By 1878, Malta had two hotels, over fifty homes, a post office, the usual number of saloons and a racetrack. The racetrack was built in 1879 at a cost of $5,000 and became a showplace for horses belonging to the carbonate kings of Leadville. In 1884, Malta was little more than a junction for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The smelters were only marginally successful and as larger and more modern smelters were built in Leadville, Malta simply could not compete. Malta never quite became a ghost town but lingered close to it throughout the years. Malta is located at the mouth of California Gulch, where the early boom in the area took place. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

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