Ridgway, CO

Ridgway was incorporated on March 4, 1891. It was established as a railroad stop to serve the mining towns of Ouray and Telluride, and was named for Denver and Rio Grande railroad superintendent Robert M. Ridgway. Ridgway retains vesitiges of its railroading past to this day, and has an excellent railroad museum. Ridgway is on the San Juan Skyway and bills itself as the "Gateway to the San Juans". It is situated in a valley surrounded by scenic mountains, and has been the setting for movies such as "True Grit" and "How the West was Won". Last updated June 2021.

Outdoor Advertising

Ridgway Adventure Sports
in the Old Fort Smith Saloon

Shops along Lena Street

True Grit Cafe
123 N. Lena Street

Decker Building 1997

Historic Ridgway Firehouse 1882

1950s? fire engine

Bank Building 1911
Richarsonian Romanesque Style

Nice Wall Mural

Lucky Find Consignments
609 Clinton Street

The Salon and Apotheca Drug Store
167 and 171 N. Cora St.

GNAR Taco Restaurant
620 Sherman Street

Boardwalk down Lena Street

Mural on the side of the old Fort Smith Saloon

Sherbino Theater

The Sherbino Theater was built by Louis Sherbino in 1915. At the time it was one of the most modern theaters on the Western Slope. Over the years is has also been a teepee factory, roller-skating rink, post office, and illegal gambling hall. Today it's the home of Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery. The Sherbino was designated a Colorado State Landmark in 1991.

Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery
formerly the Sherbino Theater

Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery
aka the Sherbino Theater

Cool street sign

Hartwell Park Sculpture

U.S. Post Office Ridgway 81432
485 Clinton Street

Fire and Rescue Company 21

Still a marshal in town

Ouray County Ranch Museum

The Original Paddy Wagon

Tent City
2021 Rocky Mountain Bike Race

Ridgway Lodge and Star Saloon

Ridgway Railroad Museum

As previously mentioned, Ridgway started life as a railhead for mining towns in the San Juans. The Rio Grande Southern Railroad had its junction with the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in Ridgway. This rich railroad heritage is preserved by the Ridgway Railroad Museum. The museum is home to a replica of RGS Motor #1 (a truck on narrow gauge railroad wheels) and Galloping Goose #4. The museum was moving to a 16 acre site on N Railroad Rd from their location at the Ridgway Visitor Center when I took several of these photos. I think a lot of the indoor displays will probably be moved to the Ranch museum. I updated this section June of 2021. Stay tuned.