Telluride

above: The town of Telluride is seen in the valley next to the ski resort.

 

What do you get when you combine the old west, a mining culture, a hippie culture and a modern resort town? This diverse, colorful and interesting mix has resulted in a very unique place called TELLURIDE.

 

 

Telluride sits at 8,700 ft in a remote valley of the San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado. The San Miguel Valley and it’s box canyon originally provided the Ute Indians with fertile hunting and fishing grounds. But, in the mid 1880’s the Indians were moved to reservations in other areas in Colorado and Utah. Soon after, the discovery of lead, zinc, copper, silver and gold led to a mining boom.

 

 

 

left: Telluride, then

 

 

 

 

 

 

….. and now.

 

 

 

 

Originally called Columbia, the name was changed by the post office in 1887 (because of confusion with Columbia, California) to Telluride to reflect the tellurium ores often found in conjunction with gold and silver. Although some claim it is really just a contraction of “to hell you ride” which men were evidently told when setting out for the remote valley.

 

 

left: one of the early roads near town (don’t look down!) and not too dissimilar to the one on the way to my in-laws house.

 

 

 

 

right: The old hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

left: The old hospital, now a museum.

 

 

 

 

Despite its remote location, the discovery of rich ores brought an influx of hearty fortune seekers and even more in 1890 once the Rio Grande Railway was finished. With that also came Saloons (as many as 26 in its heyday) and a thriving “red light” district to keep the miners entertained on the weekends. Whoohee, the old west!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: The “cribs” of the “red light district”, then.

 

 

 

 

….. and now.

 

 

 

 

But, it wasn’t all fun and games as the working conditions in the mines were severe creating labor disputes and mine disasters such as fire and avalanche took its tole on mining operations. The town also suffered extensive damage in a flood in 1914 and lost 10% of it’s population to influenza in 1918. But despite the tough times, the mines produced $150-200 million worth of ore between 1880 and 1930.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At its peak, the population rose to several thousand but once the ores played out and the mines closed, the population decreased to only a few hundred. In the late 1960’s and early 70‘s an influx hippie trust funders looking for an out of the way place to hang out brought about new life to the town as well as a drug problem. Simultaneously an interest in developing the surrounding mountains into a ski resort occurred.

 

 

 

left: The locals aren’t afraid to express their individuality.

 

 

 

 

right: The “Free Box” is a place where you can drop off your old junk and search for new junk to replace it.

 

 

Over the past 40 years the ski resort has evolved and flourished including the establishment of Mountain Village, a sister city to Telluride, on a hill overlooking the valley. The drug problem has subsided but there is still a distinct counter culture feel to the town that has now blended with the big money of a resort town.

 

 

 

 

left and below: The Big Dude stands next to snow sculptures from a contest at Mountain Village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because the town is considered a Colorado historical landmark, the buildings in town have been restored and renovated to as close to original as possible. A walk down Colorado Ave. (the main street) is like walking back in time except that you can now purchase gourmet coffee, skiwear and snow globes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The surrounding landscape also provides for year round adventure from endless hiking and mountain biking to skiing, snowmobiling and even hang gliding. Not to mention the fact that it is a photographers paradise. Spring and Summer produces and abundance of wildflowers on a rich green backdrop, the aspens turn Fall into a golden glow and winter provides pristine air to capture snow covered peaks.

 

 

 

 

left: Ingram falls at the end of the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: Bridal Veil Falls and an 1890’s hydroelectric power plant at the end of the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the nature doesn’t draw you, one the many festivals might. Summer season consists of one party after another including; Mountainfilm, Blues and Brews Festival, Bluegrass Festival, Mushroom Festival, Nothing Day Festival and the Telluride Film Festival.

 

 

 

left: flyers are evidence of the abundance of entertainment and nightlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: A painter “takes on” main street.

 

 

 

 

 

The town’s other interesting claims to fame include the world’s first commercial use of hydroelectric AC current, Butch Cassidy’s first bank robbery of the San Miguel Bank that started his infamous career as well as the setting for the filming of the movie Butch and Sundance; the Early Years as well as having the highest commercial airport in the United states.

 

 

 

 

left: “Butch Cassidy” and his gang.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: The First National Bank built in the 1880’s.

 

 

 

 

 

The rich history, the picturesque landscape, the many adventure and entertainment opportunities and its distinct personality make Telluride a truly unique place and an experience we will long remember.

 

above: The end of the San Miguel Valley.

 

 

 “If Telluride ain’t paradise, then heaven can wait” Dizzy Gillespie – Telluride jazz Festival 1977