Ouray, Colorado

[cpm9ball]

In 1873, The Ute Chief, Ouray, signed a treaty with the U.S. releasing the area to settlers. The town officially incorporated in 1876 and was named in his honor. It was a booming mining town, and by 1880 had 2600 inhabitants. In the 1890's with the price of silver dwindling, the mining families were hard pressed to make ends meet when a man named Tom Walsh discovered one of the richest gold mines in Colorado just southwest of Ouray.

The town is nestled in the Rockies in southwest Colorado at an elevation of 7800 feet, and is surrounded on three sides by peaks that rise to 13,000 feet. There are only two routes in and out of the town. One is to the north through the valley, and the other is through the pass at 13,000 feet to the south. Today, the town caters to tourists, but all of the buildings that were constructed between 1880 and 1900 are still standing and have been carefully restored. I was surprised to learn that Ouray had four billiard parlors during the 1870's and 1880's. I guess the minors had to have something to do during the heavy snows to maintain their sanity.

Chris

 

[coinsarefun]

Very interesting history!!
And the pic's are beautiful


Have you been there?

[cpm9ball]

Yes, I was there in August, 2006. I took the photos from the scenic overlook which is about 9,000 feet (1,200 feet above Ouray). The view of the town is from the south, and on the far side is where it opens into the valley as you head north. It's funny, but the downslope of the valley is so gradual as you head north toward Grand Junction that you hardly realize that you are descending about 4,000 feet.

Chris