SilvertonOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Ute Lands to Mining Boom

Silverton's story begins with the Ute people, who inhabited the San Juan Mountains for centuries, hunting and living in the area during summer. In 1860, prospector Charles Baker led an expedition into the San Juans, discovering traces of placer gold in what became "Baker's Park." The Civil War and Ute control of the land delayed significant mining until the early 1870s. The Brunot Agreement of 1873 opened the land for settlement, leading to the establishment of mining camps like Howardsville, Eureka, and Silverton.

Silverton was founded by mining entrepreneurs William Kearnes, Dempsey Reese, and Thomas Blair in 1874. The town became a hub for miners drawn by silver veins, with the discovery of the Sunnyside Mine along Hurricane Peak in 1882. The arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in July 1882 connected the isolated town to Durango and the outside world. This made it easier to transport ore out and supplies in, sparking a mining boom that lasted for three decades. By 1883, Silverton's population reached 2,000, with 400 buildings, including banks, hotels, and saloons.

Surviving the Silver Panic and Shifting to Tourism

The Panic of 1893, when the United States stopped using silver to back its currency, caused the value of silver to drop. While ten large mines in the Silverton district closed, the town weathered the crisis due to its gold and other mineral reserves. Many mines diversified into gold production. By 1898, San Juan County surpassed $1,000,000 in gold production. The mining boom continued until the 1910s, and by 1905, Silverton had over 3,000 residents.

After World War II, mining operations declined and ceased in the early 1990s. Silverton's focus shifted towards tourism. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad began attracting visitors. In 1961, Silverton was designated a National Historic Landmark District, recognizing its Victorian architecture and mining heritage. Today, the entire town is included in this federally designated district.

• —Silverton Passenger Depot — This historic train station is the terminus for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It is where historic steam locomotives and passenger cars are seen, and it is active when the train arrives and departs.
• —Grand Imperial Hotel — Built in 1882, this Victorian-style hotel on Greene Street was once considered a premier establishment. Its ornate architecture and the original hand-carved rosewood bar in the saloon show the town's past.
• —San Juan County Historical Society Museum — Housed in the former San Juan County Jail, this museum presents exhibits on Silverton's mining history, pioneer life, and the Ute people, with artifacts and photographs.
• —Miners Union Park — This park on Greene Street contains the Miners Union Hall, built in 1901. It reflects the labor movement in the mining era and hosts events like the Silverton Summer Sounds concerts.
• —Former Silverton Northern Railroad Depot site — While the depot is gone, this site marks where one of Silverton's three narrow-gauge lines branched off to connect outlying mines, showing Silverton's role as a regional transportation hub during the mining boom.
• —Silverton Town Hall — Erected in 1907 with local rosy purple sandstone, this building features columns and a domed bell tower in a Neoclassical style. It was restored after a fire in 1991.
• —Christ of the Mines Shrine — This shrine offers views of Silverton and the surrounding San Juan Mountains.

The most comfortable time to visit Silverton is June and July, with daytime highs around 68°F (20°C). This period offers access to hiking, biking, rafting, and 4x4 trails, and most shops and restaurants are open. Fall, particularly September and October, is popular for its foliage and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operating until late October. Temperatures in September range from 39-66°F (4-19°C). Winter, from November to February, brings cold conditions, heavy snowfall, and limited services. This period is for skiing and cold-weather activities. Avoid January, February, March, April, November, and December for milder weather.

Silverton is on US 550, about 49 miles north of Durango and 24 miles south of Ouray. The drive from Durango takes about an hour, crossing Coal Bank and Molas passes. The section of US 550 north of Silverton towards Ouray is the Million Dollar Highway, with steep grades, curves, and limited shoulders. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers a 3.5-hour steam train journey from Durango. The closest airports are Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) and Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), both about an hour away. Silverton is walkable, especially downtown. Parking is available on the streets. The Silverton Farmers Market is held every Friday from June through September, 9 AM to 2 PM, at the Wyman Hotel Courtyard.