coal. 363 



An important consideration regarding the Nos. 3 and 1 seams in the 

 Louisville-Lafayette • Held is the greater range in width of the lower. Xn. 3, 

 and its tendency to maintain a superior thickness; the No. 1 seam rarely 

 reaches a width greated than 4 feet, while the No. 3 frequently attains .me 

 of 6 feet, or even 7 feet (I inches. 



THE AVAILABLE COAL \l:i \ "I I III: COAL < KEEK SYNI LINE. 



It is impossible from surface and present mining data to estimate the 

 productive area of the Coal ('reek syncline, lau the region is the most 

 promising of tin- several coal areas of the 1 >enver Basin, both in the thickness 

 and in the continuity of its seams. A considerable tract at the northern 

 end of the syncline in the vicinity of Erie, Canfield, and Mitchell has 

 already proved of value; the region of Lafayette is now yielding from 

 a large area, with evidence from drill holes of much greater extent; the 

 vicinity of Louisville is rapidly developing- still another valuable area of 

 production. Southwest of Louisville about 2 miles, the syncline has again 

 been prospected and, according to best accounts, proved to carry at least one 

 seam of workable thickness. At several points in the outlying area north- 

 wesl of the Harper and Sand Gulch faults there exists a seam which 

 ranges from 2>.\ feet to 5 feet in thickness at depths varying from 4s to 154 

 feet. On the summit of the high ridge north of Coal Creek, near the old 

 stage well on the Denver and Louisville wagon road, li feet 4 inches of coal 

 is said to exist at a depth of 60 feet; and again, just west of the point 

 where the former Denver, Utah and Pacific Railroad crossed ( !oal < nek. .", 

 feet 10 inches exists at a depth of 93 feet. These points of exploitation are 

 well distributed and indicate for the syncline productive measures of broad 

 extent and exceptional continuity. This, together with the number of 

 seams which are of recognized workable thickness in one area or another 

 renders the entire region one of great importance. 



The mining areas within the Coal Creek syncline conform to the 

 several subbasins described. There are five in all, the Superior, Louisville, 

 Lafayette, Mitchell, and Canfield-Erie, though perhaps the area immediatelv 

 about Erie may more properly belong to the Mitchell basin. 



Following is a list of mines in the several districts, including both 

 worked and abandoned. The names are those in existence a! the time of 



