The Cope Mining District was formed in 1869. The Excelsior Mine was one of the principal mines of this district, the other being the El Dorado Mine.[2]
Excelsior was a mining community of approximately 20 men at its peak. Only a couple of frame buildings were built before the site was abandoned.[3] A post office called Excelsior was in operation from 1871 until 1872.[4] Aaron Van Ulick was the first and only postmaster. Upon the post office's March 12, 1872, closure, mail was routed through nearby White Rock.[3]
The mine at Excelsior was an ore mine;[5] the mine closed in 1873.[2] The closure of the Excelsior mine had a major impact in the region, helping to cause an exodus in nearby Mountain City by 1875.[6]
The site today is marked by a few dugouts; no houses remain.[3]
