Telluride Colorado | A Brief History
Rex Manz
May 10, 2009
The Ute Indians were the rightful owners of most of the area lands granted via treaties with the U.S. Government. Influenced by the discovery of gold and silver, the treaties were "re-negotiated" in 1873 returning much of Southwest Colorado back to the U.S Government. In 1878, the town of Columbia was established and applied for a post office. The application was rejected since a Columbia California existed and the name Telluride was substituted. Was it the presence of tellurium, a nonmetallic element often found in association with gold and silver, that prompted the name Telluride? Or was it the common cry of rough cowboys, miners and outlaws that yelled "To-Hell-You-Ride" as they approached town?
Telluride was firmly rooted in the Wild West. A young outlaw began his career in Telluride with the robbing of the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride rich with in cash from the miners' fortunes. Today, we know him as Butch Cassidy.
The railroad arrived in 1890 and the population had grown to five-thousand. Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison were in a battle of "electricity". Edison promoted direct-current while Tesla promoted alternating-current. Nikola combined forces with local businessman L.L. Nunn and entrepreneur George Westinghouse and created the first hydroelectric A/C generating power plant in Telluride. Tesla won the electric war.
Mining expanded and fortunes were made. The Tomboy Mine produced over $360-million of ore making it one of the richest gold producers in the world at the time. Telluride had more millionaires per population than New York City could boast.
By the time of the Great Depression in 1929, the economic engine of mining was sputtering. A few revivals occurred over the following years, but by the 1960's Telluride's population numbered less than 600-people. In 1964, local residents secured the designation of National Historic Landmark District for the downtown area hoping to attract tourist. It worked.
In 1972, a wealthy California businessman "discovered" Telluride and created a ski area on the north side of Gold Hill leading into Telluride. The Telluride Ski Resort was formed. In 1978, it was sold to Colorado natives Ron Allred and Jim Wells who greatly expanded the ski resort until they sold it in 2001. Since then, further ownership changes have occurred.
It was the "white gold" of snow skiing together with the accompanying real estate and construction boom that revived the Telluride economy. The ski industry has proven to be quite resilient.
Since the early 1970's, local residents have sought to enhance the quality of life and attraction beyond skiing. Numerous festivals beginning with the Memorial Day weekend and continuing through Labor Day attract thousands of visitors. Fine dining and lodging have flourished as well as adventure companies offering horseback riding, hot air ballooning, wilderness camping, whitewater kayaking, trout fishing mountain expeditions, guided mountain climbing, and much more. The arts and culture of Telluride has grown considerably with guest artists and musicians calling Telluride home.
Isn't it time that you visit and enjoy the Telluride lifestyle?
Rex Manz is a Colorado Realtor that assists homebuyers considering the purchase of Telluride Colorado ski homes or ski condos. Rex and his associates provide personal service in locating the perfect Telluride ski property for you. Rex has put together a Colorado Ski Resorts Map for your convenience. Don't just live in the Rockies, Live The Rockies!
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