Chloride GP

This does not even hint at being a Jeep trail.  The road is paved all the way.  It is just an interesting place to visit.

​​Chloride got its start in the late 1870s by accident. Harry Pye, a mule skinner, was hauling freight through the area for the U.S. Army when he found some "float" that he thought might be silver ore in a creek bed. He had the rocks assayed and found they were rich in chloride of silver. Pye kept his find a secret until his Army freighting contract expired in 1879. With two companions, he returned to Chloride Canyon, built a cabin and staked a claim. Within a few months the Pye party was attacked by Apache Indians and Pye was killed.

By late 1881 Chloride had eight saloons (another was added in 1884 when the bank failed and instead became a saloon), two mercantile stores, butcher shop, a hotel, boarding house, assay offices, livery stables, a candy store, drug store, law office, a Chinese laundry and a millinery store. Also the U.S. Government had established a Post Office in the Pioneer Store.

Chloride died as fast as it had grown when the Silver Crash of the mid 1890s occurred. By the start of the new century (1900) the population was only about 100 and continued to decline. Chloride has become a quiet little village, a haven for its retired residents, and a source of pleasure for its interested visitors. Approximately 30 of the original 300 plus buildings remain today in various stages of disrepair, from derelicts to restored beauties.

San Mateo Mountains on the way to Chloride

Main Street

Outdoor exhibits

Page updated 2018

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chloride_gp.gpx
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File Type:	gpx

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