Telluride, CO

Telluride started out as a mining camp in the mid-1870s and became the mining town of Columbia in 1878, but was renamed Telluride in 1887. The town became a boom town in 1890 with the arrival of the railroad, and then a bust town with the silver crash in 1893. After struggling along for decades the town began to reinvent itself as a ski resort in the 1970s. Today the town is mining tons of tourist dollars. It has transformed itself into an upscale mecca to rival the likes of Aspen and Vale. There are all kinds of festivals in the summer and of course skiing in the winter.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of uber-liberal, upscale communities. However, Telluride is in my neck of the woods and at one time was a rough mining town, hence the photo-essay. Photos were taken in August 2020, July 2021, and September 2022.

Taking COVID Seriously

Seriously, welcome to Telluride

West 100 Block of Colorado Avenue

East 200 Block of Colorado Avenue

Green Dragon Cannabis Company

View east along Colorado Avenue

Nice Doggie

Cool Victorian House

Another Cool Victorian House

Helicoptor with attached Bambi Bucket above Ski Lift

Sticker Board

Town Hall

Historical Buildings of Telluride

Telluride has a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district comprises most of the original town.

Tomkins-Cristy Hardware Co building - originally built in 1892 for the San Juan Hardware Company

The Nugget Building 1892

Coslett and Stansbeck Building 1898
Original site of the American House hotel and restaurant

Bank of Telluride est. 1969

St. Patrick's Catholic Church 1896

Waggoner House

Davis House 1899

New Sheridan Hotel & Opera House 1891

Miner's Union (hospital) 1901

Hall's Hospital 1896
Now Telluride Historical Museum

San Miguel County Court House 1887

Pekkarine Building

Pandora Mill - Idarado Mine

The mining town of Pandora was established around 1880 some miles east of Telluride near the head of the box canyon. It became an important milling center for the mines of the Telluride District. Mills for the Liberty Bell and Smuggler-Union mines were built at Pandora. An aerial tram system transported ore from the mines high up the mountain to the Pandora mills. The 1920s era Pandora Mill (aka Idarado Mill) continued to process ore until 1974. It still stands as an important reminder of Telluride's mining history.

Pandora Mill Office

Pandora Mill

Aerial Tramway Pylons

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls, at a height of 365 feet, is the tallest free-standing waterfall in Colorado. The falls can be reached by hiking or 4-wheel drive vehicle. The road to the base of the falls is 1.5 miles one-way. It's rocky with several switchbacks, and a 4-wheel drive high clearance vehicle is a must. Bridal Veil Trail is 1.12 miles one-way and also ends at the base of the falls. The trail is difficult and not recommended for beginning hikers or families with children. However the road can also be hiked and is more family friendly. There is a power station at the top of the falls.

Bridal Veil Falls and Power Plant
View from lower parking lot

Bridal Veil Trail

Bridal Veil Falls

Power House and Falls

Bridal Veil Falls