[2] Founded in 1880, Saint Elmo lies in the heart of the Sawatch Range, 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Buena Vista and sits at an elevation of 9,961 feet (3,036 m).

The name Saint Elmo was chosen by Griffith Evans, one of the founding fathers, who was reading a novel with the same title.

The majority of the people who lived in Saint Elmo worked at the Mary Murphy, Teresa C., The Molly or the Pioneer Mines.

The general store is open during the summer, when tourists can rent off-road vehicles or buy items.

Due to many break-ins and vandalisms, though there are few inhabitants of St. Elmo, Colorado, they are fiercely protective of the history and their neighborhood, and request that any and all visitors treat the town with consideration and respect.