TAYLOR PARK

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Dorchester Guard Station The Dorchester Guard Station is one of only two original Forest Service Guard Stations remaining in Gunnison County. It represents a unique Rocky Mountain style cabin construction and remains the only structure of the old town of Dorchester. The cabin is a one-room log cabin, originally built in 1905, in a remote area of Taylor Park. It was adjacent to the stagecoach road from Tincup to Aspen. Postal service was initiated for Dorchester on August 2, 1900 and the new cabin was designated the Post Office after its construction until July 31, 1912 when the post office was discontinued. During this time period the building also functioned as a general store, stage stop, and Forest Service phone point. By 1920, the town of Dorchester was abandoned. The land and associated structures, including the cabin, have reverted back to the U.S. Forest Service. Address: Dorchester Townsite Legal: Part Sec 28,R83W,T12S, 6th PM Current Use: Tourist Site Contact: US Forest Service Designated: September 18, 2001

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Bomber Crash Site The B-24E Crash Site is located near Forest Service Road 742. The B-24 crashed at the site at about 1145 hours on 19 July 1943. A small clearing in the forest marks the location of the airplane impact. Remains of the bomber are currently located within a 200 foot diameter area at 9008 feet elevation. All ten members of the crew and one passenger, perished in the crash and their bodies were badly burned by the ensuing fire. The B-24 Crash Site is considered a funerary site; the crash severity and fire resulted in partial interment of the body of one or more crew members. A 50th Anniversary Memorial Service was held at the crash site at 1150 a.m. on 19 July 1993...the service was full military ceremony and about 75 people attended, including family members of those deceased. A bronze marker is now affixed at the site to a granite rock on which the port main strut of the crashed B-24 rests. Address: 21 miles NE of Gunnison Legal: Part of Sec 10, T15S,R83W,6thPM Current Use: Tourist Site Contact: USFS Designated: May 2, 2000

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Star Mine The Star Mine is located in the Tin Cup Mining District in the Northwestern portion of Taylor Park. It is located in the cirque basin to the east side of Italian Mountain, North Italian Mountain, and Lambertson Peak at an elevation of approximately 11,650 feet, just below timberline. The Star Mine site includes a fully equipped shaft house, and two, two-story bunkhouses/offices. The site also housed a sawmill, of which only the sliding carriage remains. The site retains a high degree of historical contents including a complete set of equipment and machinery. The hoisting system within the shaft house is intact and possesses all its components. The system includes a single-drum steam hoist, two large locomotive boilers, plumbing, a two-post gallows head frame. The blacksmith shop is equipped with original tools; and the assay shop is almost as complete. The boardinghouses feature furniture and historic artifacts, as well as dated graffiti left by the original miners. Address: US Forest Service Road 759, Gunnison Legal: Part Sec335/2,T12S,T13S,R84W Current Use: Restoration/No entry Contact: Dennis Larratt Designated: January 21, 2003

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