Lake Valley
State: New Mexico
County: Sierra County
Founded: 1881
Abandoned: 1994
Peak Population: 4,000
Lake Valley's 'Bridal Chamber' mine contained silver so pure you could break it off the walls. A single piece displayed at the 1882 Denver Exposition was worth $7,000. The Bridal Chamber yielded 2.5 million ounces before exhausting in 1883. The last resident left in 1994.
Quick Facts
- Silver in the Bridal Chamber was so pure you could break it off walls
- Single piece of silver worth $7,000 displayed at 1882 exposition
- The legendary vein exhausted in just 2 years (1881-1883)
- Last resident left in 1994
Location
Address: Sierra County, New Mexico
Coordinates: 32.6517, -107.5897