Slavonia

Slavonia is a populated place located in Routt County.

Slavonia appears on the Mount Zirkel U.S. Geological Survey Map.

History

Long before being designated wilderness in 1964, the mountains and streams near Mount Zirkel, Gilpin, Gold Creek and Mica lakes were used for mining — primarily mica and silver, but also lead, copper and even uranium.

The most evident mining area lies near the base of Mount Zirkel at the confluence of Gilpin and Gold creeks. The remains of cabins and their contents and the scarred mine and mining equipment, such as rails and a cart, lie in open view as this area is at the edge of tree line.

Called the Slavonia Mine, the claim was established in 1904 by four Slavics: Peter Wranesich, Max Malich, Nick Rayakovich and Peter Smilyavich. They later sold the mine to Dan Wilt, a prominent oil man who developed the mine with G.S. Simmons. Remember the name Simmons, because he inherited the mine and, later, built a summer home in the area.

At one time, the Slavonia mining camp included a two-story, eight-room bunkhouse and a warehouse used to store mining equipment.

Geography

Slavonia is at latitude 40.784 and longitude -106.704.

Comment

To get to the Slavonia mine is an overnight hike, and I am no longer made for sleeping on the ground.