Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The White Ash Mine Disaster

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 4, 2011

1. The White Ash Mine Disaster Marker

Inscription. For many years, Golden’s people have respected the flood waters of Clear Creek above ground. However, it was the flood below ground that claimed the most lives. On September 9, 1889, water broke into the White Ash Mine beneath Clear Creek at the west end of 12th Street roaring down to levels as deep as 730 feet. It continued to flood at the rate of 85,000 gallons a day until an estimated three million cubic feet of water had flooded into the shafts. Ten miners lost their lives: David L. Lloyd, William and John Collins, Richard Rowe, Joseph Allen, Joseph Hutter, Henry Haussman, William F. Bowden, and Jack Morgan. The mine, Golden’s most prosperous coal mine, which had operated since 1867, could not be salvaged, and the bodies of the victims were not recovered.

For many years, the mines beneath Clear Creek had problems with water seepage. In 1879, the Black Diamond Mine north of the White Ash Mine was abandoned because of such seepage. It was water from the Black Diamond Mine that burst into the White Ash through a seam weakened by an earlier mine fire. But the legacy of the White Ash Mine lived on, with three other area mines named for it. The original was named for the ash left after its coal was burned. Today, people may visit and remember the victims of this disaster at a marker of the mine’s entrance.

Background photo: View from Lariat Loop Trail on Lookout Mountain east over Golden, circa 1888. Courtesy Colorado School of Mines.
Caption: Group of miners. Courtesy Golden Pioneer Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1839.

Location. 39° 45.403′ N, 105° 13.349′ W. Marker is in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is on Washington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this

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post office area: Golden CO 80401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Native Americans on Clear Creek (here, next to this marker); Transportation (here, next to this marker); Irrigation and Farming (a few steps from this marker); Golden City (a few steps from this marker); Bridge Load Ordinance Background (a few steps from this marker); Gold (a few steps from this marker); Golden and Clear Creek (a few steps from this marker); History of the Avenue Bridge (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

The White Ash Mine Disaster Marker Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Leslie Eudy, November 4, 2025

2. The White Ash Mine Disaster Marker Wide View

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,182 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 6, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.