Driving through Western Colorado, I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, saw coal mines.  We were there, but did not get in any photos.  Coal mining is big and we ducks are very small.

Inclines to transport coal in Somerset

Coal mining began in Somerset and Bowie, Colorado in 1902.   The mining is underground, but it does not appear that the mines are active now.

The first town we entered was Somerset.

Welcome to Somerset

This is some of what we saw there.

To transport coal

Coal mining has been a major source of employment for people since 1902.

Pile of coal in Somerset, Colorado

Further down the road, we found Bowie.  In 1902 the King Mine opened.

Photo from roadside sign on West Elk Loop

This mine was owned and managed by three generations of the Bowie family.  We liked this sign, the photo and explanation of coal mining in Colorado.  Hope you like it, too.

There is a lot of history here.

Bowie coal inclines

Coal mining employed many people in this area of Colorado.   The coal was transported from the mines to other areas of Colorado and the country.

These inclines moved coal from mines to railroad cars to be transported

However the outlook for coal mining here does not look very bright.  We hope you visit Somerset and Bowie soon.