In 1891 huge amounts of Galina were discovered here. Galina is a natural mineral form of lead that also contains varying quantities of silver. Within a few years after the first discoveries here hundreds and hundreds of prospectors made there way to Sandon in hopes of striking it rich. The town was incorporated in 1898 and in it’s heyday had perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 residents. The city was built to provide for the needs of the miners and included dozens of hotels, saloons, brothels, home sites, two newspapers, a city hall, an opera house, two banks, drug stores, mercantile stores, a library, community hall and a post office.
When you take the short drive up the hill to visit Sandon you will be one of 20,000 visitors who do so each year. It’s quite an interesting slice of history and features a number of still standing structures, mine machinery and parts scattered throughout, remnants of the two railroads that served the town, and a private museum that is run by the Sandon Historical Society. There is also a souvenir shop and a cafe.
