Revised on January 4^th, 2,026

A Concise History of the Denver Mining Club

The following is an abbreviated history of the Denver Mining Club: this initial summary is a verbatim copy of "A Landmark––The Denver Mining Club," from The Mines Magazine issue of May, 1960 (less the photo of Guy L.V. Emerson). Additional entries, changes and/or deletions will be made upon request. Updates will be made as additional information is acquired. This summary is presented as a public service to the mining community and is not an endorsement.

Back in the nineties when gold mining was the principal industry in Colorado, a group of pioneer giants in industry, comprising the Colorado Mining Stock Exchange, purchased the ground then described as "Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4, East Denver" for $160,000. On this ground, now at 15^th and Arapahoe Streets, was erected in 1890 and 1891, the Mining Exchange Building, on top of which stands the statue of the old prospector, pick in one hand and gold brick in the other, master of all he surveys. He has stood guard over the surrounding area for all these 70 years, a forgotten man, representing an almost forgotten industry––gold mining––in the state of Colorado. This splendid old building is now the home of the Mining Record, one of the oldest mining weeklies in this country.

Subscribers to the fund for the cost of the building were such men as John Evans, first governor of Colorado; C.B. Kountze, prominent banker and founder of the present Colorado National Bank; Henry C. Brown, who built the Brown Palace Hotel, and W.N. Byers, owner and publisher of the Rocky Mountain News. Other prominent and successful citizens of those early days who participated in the activities were David H. Moffat, Banker and builder of the Moffat Railroad; J.W. Nessmith, president, Colorado Iron Works; Walter S. Cheesman, capitalist; DennisSheedy, president, Denver Dry Goods Co.,; H.A.W. Tabor; John Harvey of Leadville, and D.R.C. Brown of Aspen. With the cooperation of this group, the Mining Exchange Building was financed, erected, and opened with much publicity at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1891.

When completed, the Central Savings Bank, now Central Bank and Trust Co., occupied the corner ground floor, while the Colorado Mining Stock Exchange used the entire second floor. Beautiful paneled walls framed a scene of feverish activity as the exchange handled sales for clients and speculators, both local and throughout the United States. Many important individuals and corporations had offices in the building, including such active mine owners and operators as J.O.A. Carper, George Collins, Shrive Chase, John T. Barnett, Charles Chase, Benjamin Briscoe, Buckley Wells, Fred Carstaphen, Governors Jesse McDonald, William E. Sweet, and Oliver H. Shoup; Ezra Dickerman, Stephen Ionides, Henry Sanderson, Charles N. Bell, Ralph McFann, Charles Newmeyer, and Charles W. Henderson of the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

These men gathered for lunch to discuss the mining events of the day at different old–time restaurants like Hurlburt's Dairy Lunch, The Home Dairy, Tortoni's and the Manhattan. Out of these informal gatherings grew the Denver Mining Club. Early in its history luncheons were held at the Daniels and Fisher Tearoom, the Edelweiss and the Denver Chamber of Commercer Restaurant. About 20 years ago, the Club moved to the Denver Dry Goods Tea Room for its luncheons held there every Wednesday. Average attendance is about 50 members and guests.

Before mining went into a decline, the main subjects for discussion at these luncheon–meetings were mining and mining news from different areas of the state––reports by prospectors and mining men on new discoveries and activities in mining. At present these luncheon–meetings are enlivened by good talks on mining and milling and also other subjects of general interest. A recent speaker at one of these luncheons––Dr. John W. Vanderwilt, president of the Colorado School of Mines––drew a record number of members.

Strictly a luncheon club, the Denver Mining Club welcomes anyone remotely connected or indirectly associated with the mining industry. There has never been any membership fee or dues. Members merely pay their own luncheon checks and those of their guests.

After hearing the story of the proposed "Rush to the Rockies" celebration which was scheduled for 1959, the members agreed to rent the old stock exchange room in the Mining Exchange Building and put in a display of ores, concentrates, mining machinery, antiques, maps, pictures and books. Accordingly "The Hall of Mining Progress" was opened to the public in January 1959. A fine display of more than 300 items was accumulated through the efforts and cooperation of mining and machinery companies and their representatives. An "Old Timer," A Roy Wicker, supervised the display, and members, on a voluntary basis, kept the display open throughout the Centennial celebration. More than 10,000 visitors saw this fine display in eight months. This was made possible by voluntary contributions from members of the Mining Club, for no support was given by the state, county or city.

The Denver Mining Club maintains an office in Room 202, Midland Savings Building. Current officers of the club are: President, Guy L.V. Emerson, president, Treasure Mountain Gold Mining Co.; Vice-President, Kenneth Herrman, Union Supply Co., Denver; Secretary, Arthur F. Mayhem, newspaperman and mine owner; Treasurer, William B. Cramer, former associate professor of metallurgy, Colorado School of Mines, and now a consulting metallurgist in Denver.