Boomtowns are built on optimism; ghost towns are what's left when it runs out. Welcome to Hamilton. Penny Rafferty Hamilton (born February 18, 1948) is an American retired pilot, aviation educator, writer, and photographer.
Park County holds 15 documented ghost towns, including Antero Junction, Buckskin Joe, Dudley — Hamilton keeps them company on the map.
The story of Hamilton
Colorado's high-country ghost towns sit at altitudes that would give a flatlander nosebleeds — silver camps killed by an 1893 vote in Washington.
Penny Rafferty Hamilton (born February 18, 1948) is an American retired pilot, aviation educator, writer, and photographer. She is noted for her two-year study of women in aviation, the Teaching Women to Fly Research Project, which identified barriers to women training as pilots and presented 101 strategies to increase the participation of women in aviation. She also interests children in aviation, giving talks in schools and libraries as the character "Penny the Pilot". She and her husband jointly hold a World Aviation Speed Record set in 1991.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Hamilton is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Hamilton is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Hamilton FAQs
01Where is Hamilton located?
02What county is Hamilton in?
03What is the history of Hamilton?
04What remains at Hamilton today?
05Can you visit Hamilton?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Penny Rafferty Hamilton”), CC BY-SA.
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