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Located in a box canyon, Telluride was virtually isolated from the north and east by rugged mountain ranges. A wagon road was built by Otto Mears across Dallas Divide to the north that would provide a link to other mining districts in the San Juans.
Columbia was founded in 1878 and later changed its name to Telluride. Some say the name "Telluride" was taken from "to hell you ride".
There were more than 3 dozen saloons and gambling halls that never closed...and more than 175 prostitutes in this rip-roaring mining town.
Gold was discovered in the Marshall Basin in 1875. By 1890, silver was being mined in great abundance also. The effects of the silver crash in 1893 on Telluride were softened by the ability of the mines in the region to produce gold.
Some of the big producers were the Smuggler, Liberty Bell, Union, Sheridan and Tomboy mines.
Wealth was abundant in Telluride. It's said that a Boston woman wrote to Telluride asking about the "society" in town, as she was thinking of moving to their community. The legend goes that the reply was...
"As for sowciety it is bang up. This is a mighty morrell town considerin that theres 69 saloons and two newspapers to a poppylation of 1,247...Only two men has been killed since Monday...Cheatin at gamblin is punished by linchin...Ladies is universally respected and I sell them beer at half price when they buy at my place...preachin every Sunday that the preacher dont have ter stay ter home on account of the big rush at his bowlin alley. Dont hezzytate about comin here on account of sowciety. This is a morrel town."
In 1889 3 men road into town and held up the Bank of Telluride. It was the first bank robbery for its leader...Butch Cassidy.
In 1890 the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reached Telluride and commerce was booming.
By the late 1920's most of the mines had shut down after exhausting their supply of paying ore. The last of the mines, the Smuggler-Union continued on until the late 1970's.
By then, Telluride had discovered the riches of "white gold" and continues as a popular skiing resort today.
Telluride holds the title of "Festival Capital of the Rockies" by hosting a variety of internationally acclaimed music and art festivals throughout the summer months.
The magnificent Bridal Veil Falls overlooks Telluride from the east.
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