The Blue Bird Mine
Blue azurite, often found in silver ore, gave Caribou Ranch’s Blue Bird Mine its name. In the 1870s, miners flocked to work at the Blue Bird, as well as other mines in the area. In 1905, Blue Bird became a tourist destination on the newly completed Eldora Line of the Switzerland Trail of America.
The Name
The origin of the name Caribou is said to have come from William Martin, a prospector, who discovered the Caribou mine. Martin had been mining in the Cariboo Range in British Columbia and saw a connection with the two places.
Historical Buildings
- Blue Bird Mine Complex – includes a bunkhouse, remains of a log building, mining company house, chicken coops, smoke house, the foundation of a mill, mine shafts, and tracks for ore carts
- DeLonde Homestead – a modified homestead that reflects several periods in the ranch’s development
Van Vleet
In 1936, Lynn W. Van Vleet purchased the Ranch and established the first Arabian horse breeding operation in Colorado. In addition to sponsoring public Arabian horse shows, the Van Vleet Ranch hosted two Warner Brothers films, Arabians of the Rockies and Sons of Courage.
Music
In 1971 a barn was converted to a recording studio on private property near the open space. This studio, called Caribou Ranch, attracted artists such as U2, Billy Joel, Chicago, Elton John, Rod Stewart, and many others. The studio closed after a March 1985 fire destroyed the control room.