THE STORY. . . Here it is. . . the legendary Crystal Mill, one of Colorado’s most iconic landscape photography destinations. Situated in the Rocky Mountains near Marble, Colorado, this structure is not actually a mill, but rather a hydraulic pump house. Built in 1892, the original structure included a dam which spanned the Crystal River. Its purpose was to power a series of compressors which were used to operate drilling equipment in the nearby gold and silver mines. Today, the building stands peacefully retired, enjoying its view over the golden aspen forests along the rambling river.