Summitville was a gold mining town established in 1870 in Rio Grande County, Colorado, after prospector J.L. Wightman discovered gold at the foot of South Mountain. Despite poor yields, Wightman and two others persisted and discovered the source of the gold, leading to the establishment of Summitville and underground mining. Summitville grew to become the largest gold producing camp in Colorado with a population of 300-600, but after the high-grade ore ran out in 1887, the population declined, and the town became a ghost town. However, large-scale mining resumed in 1934, leading to the rebirth of Summitville with the construction of 70 new homes, a bathhouse, bunkhouses, a large dining hall, and a school. Despite continued mining operations, harsh weather and building deterioration led to Summitville’s abandonment again.