 The town's first log cabin was built in 1873 and by 1876 the community had become a bustling mining community.At that time the town contained 30 cabins, a hotel, a general store, a saloon, and a post office.By 1883 450 people lived in Animas Forks and in 1882 a newspaper, the "Animas Forks Pioneer", began publication and lasted until October 1886.