Formally known as Columbia, Telluride became an official city in 1878 as a mining camp, and at that time changed its name to Telluride. Prior to its mining history, the Natives and Spanish colonizers once lived or traveled in this area as far back as the 1700's. After surviving the crash during the Depression era, decades later Telluride revamped its identity in the 1970's as a ski resort town. And from there the rest is history on it evolving into a billionaire playground for ski bums and rich folks alike.
Here are seven historical sites to explore when in Telluride.
Here are seven historical sites to explore when in Telluride.
Telluride Historic District
When searching for historical sites and buildings, travelers will spend more of their time in the historic district of Telluride, which is chocked full of Victorian / Wild West architecture. This area expands about 12 blocks in length and eight blocks wide. The downtown became a National Historic Landmark in 1961, and still today boasts old-world Victorian charm. From shopping to cafes to restaurants, this is where many visitors spend much of their time roaming the streets in search of a souvenir or a bite to eat. While walking around, travelers will notice a variety of historical plaques to identify the history of that specific building, park or landmark.
When searching for historical sites and buildings, travelers will spend more of their time in the historic district of Telluride, which is chocked full of Victorian / Wild West architecture. This area expands about 12 blocks in length and eight blocks wide. The downtown became a National Historic Landmark in 1961, and still today boasts old-world Victorian charm. From shopping to cafes to restaurants, this is where many visitors spend much of their time roaming the streets in search of a souvenir or a bite to eat. While walking around, travelers will notice a variety of historical plaques to identify the history of that specific building, park or landmark.
Telluride Historical Museum
History buffs and enthusiasts discover more about Telluride's past at the Telluride Historical Museum, which is located in the old hospital. The structure itself has quit a bit of history as it was once Hall's hospital that was built in 1896 and operated until 1964. The historical museum has operated out of here since 1966.
For a true sense of Telluride's past and a visual representation of Victorian mining life, this is a must visit place!
201 West Gregory Avenue
History buffs and enthusiasts discover more about Telluride's past at the Telluride Historical Museum, which is located in the old hospital. The structure itself has quit a bit of history as it was once Hall's hospital that was built in 1896 and operated until 1964. The historical museum has operated out of here since 1966.
For a true sense of Telluride's past and a visual representation of Victorian mining life, this is a must visit place!
201 West Gregory Avenue
Roma Bar Building
This is home to one of Tellurides most rowdy bars. Covid has changed the landscape for downtown businesses, some unable to remain open because of staffing shortages. But the interior of this bar/restaurant features the original 1860 Brunswich-Balke-Collender Company bar, which is carved from walnut with 12-foot French mirrors.
Location: Corner of Spruce and Colorado Avenue.
Pekkarine Building
This is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Telluride. This was once home to the Pekkarine family, an immigrant family from Finland who came in the late 1800s and opened a boot shop in the basement. The family lived on the top floor and later opened a mercantile shop on the second level. Many of their items were donated to the Telluride Historical Museum in the 1970's.
Location: Corner of Oak and Colorado Avenue.
This is home to one of Tellurides most rowdy bars. Covid has changed the landscape for downtown businesses, some unable to remain open because of staffing shortages. But the interior of this bar/restaurant features the original 1860 Brunswich-Balke-Collender Company bar, which is carved from walnut with 12-foot French mirrors.
Location: Corner of Spruce and Colorado Avenue.
Pekkarine Building
This is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Telluride. This was once home to the Pekkarine family, an immigrant family from Finland who came in the late 1800s and opened a boot shop in the basement. The family lived on the top floor and later opened a mercantile shop on the second level. Many of their items were donated to the Telluride Historical Museum in the 1970's.
Location: Corner of Oak and Colorado Avenue.
New Sheridan Hotel + Opera House
Built in 1891, this was Telluride's first hotel that sadly burnt down in 1894. The structure was rebuilt with brick in 1895. During this time, the Sheridan Bar was built and is one of the oldest bars in the west that is still in operation. Antique enthusiasts would adore this bar with all the hand carved wooded panels and filigree light fixtures. The bar itself remains in it's original structure, and was a hand-carved cherry wood bar that was imported from Austria. In 1913, the opera house was added and named the Segerberg Opera House and so this block features the hotel, bar and opera house.
Location: Corner of Colorado Avenue and Oak
Built in 1891, this was Telluride's first hotel that sadly burnt down in 1894. The structure was rebuilt with brick in 1895. During this time, the Sheridan Bar was built and is one of the oldest bars in the west that is still in operation. Antique enthusiasts would adore this bar with all the hand carved wooded panels and filigree light fixtures. The bar itself remains in it's original structure, and was a hand-carved cherry wood bar that was imported from Austria. In 1913, the opera house was added and named the Segerberg Opera House and so this block features the hotel, bar and opera house.
Location: Corner of Colorado Avenue and Oak
Town Hall
This building originated as Telluride's first school house in 1883. Similar to other Victorian school houses, this building featured one large open room that could fit 53 students and 1 teacher. Once the population outgrew this school house it later became the Town Hall building.
Location: Colorado Avenue in between Fir and Columbia Avenue
This building originated as Telluride's first school house in 1883. Similar to other Victorian school houses, this building featured one large open room that could fit 53 students and 1 teacher. Once the population outgrew this school house it later became the Town Hall building.
Location: Colorado Avenue in between Fir and Columbia Avenue
Saint Patrick's Catholic Church
The history that cultivated this church seems like the scene from an old Wild West movie. Reverend J.J. Gibbons, pastor of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church-made his first trip to Telluride from Ouray for a baptism, on horseback traversing through the slippery mountain passes. In 1896, he assisted in constructing St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Telluride. Near the end of the century in 1899, the church had 200 members. The wooden figures seen at the church were handcrafted in the Tyrol region of Austria.
Location: Corner of Spruce and Galena Avenue
Images courtesy of Pixabay
What's your favorite historical site in Telluride? There's plenty of them to see and explore, enjoy!
Let's Connect!
The history that cultivated this church seems like the scene from an old Wild West movie. Reverend J.J. Gibbons, pastor of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church-made his first trip to Telluride from Ouray for a baptism, on horseback traversing through the slippery mountain passes. In 1896, he assisted in constructing St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Telluride. Near the end of the century in 1899, the church had 200 members. The wooden figures seen at the church were handcrafted in the Tyrol region of Austria.
Location: Corner of Spruce and Galena Avenue
Images courtesy of Pixabay
What's your favorite historical site in Telluride? There's plenty of them to see and explore, enjoy!
Let's Connect!
RSS Feed