Silverton: Rises and Falls

Silverton, Colorado is located in the San Juan mountain range, in southern Colorado. Although the creation of the town was based off of gold, silver, and other precious metals, Silverton is now a thriving tourist attraction. With its beautiful peaks, and own private ski resort, no wonder tourists are attracted to it.

But before Silverton could become this thriving tourist town, it and its people had to go through ups and downs:

Rise #1: Like most beginings of mining towns, Silverton was first settled by European immigrants who were looking for easy money. They were attracted to Silverton because of the gold and silver found there. Little by little, gold and silver mines- set up by the the immigrants- started popping up. The immigrants who ran and worked there were trying to make money.

Fall #1: After the word got out about the metals in Silverton, more people came to settle the land. Because of the growing population, Saloons, alcohol, gambling, robbery, there were many opportunities to die violently. There was also often danger when working if the mines because there was little or safety precautions on the part of the mine owners. Mining casualties happened ofter, from falling down an open shaft to being blown to pieces in a powder explosion to the mine itself caving in on the workers.

Rise #2: As more and more mines were created, more and more people flowed into Silverton. To hold the growing population, actual buildings were built to help establish the tent city into a town. The Congregational Church was dedicated in 1881, the railroad reached Silverton the next year, and the Grand Hotel had its grand opening in 1883. Silverton's population was 3,000, and the town was became a city. In the early 1900s the Carnegie Library, County Courthouse, County Jail, Town Hall, and Miners Union Hospital were built.

Fall #2: In 1918 more than 150 citizens (approximately 10 % of the whole population ) of Silverton died on the worldwide flu epidemic within three weeks.While Coloradans died in large numbers across the state, miners, whose lungs had already been weakened, died in greater numbers than their fellow citizens. Those living at higher altitudes also died in greater numbers than those living in lower regions. Influenza continued to be pervasive throughout the winter and spring. During the summer, the disease slowly began to disappear from the state.

Rise #3: Hollywood discovered the town in the 1950ies, several movies were shot on location, including Ticket to Tomahawk, Great Day in the Morning, Run for Cover, Night Passage, Across the Wide Missouri and Maverick Queen. This made Silverton a travel destination. This little town in the valley, surrounded by majestic peaks is now home to Silverton Mountain- a ski resort about 6 miles from the town- and the world famous Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge train now brings thousands of tourists to Silverton in the summer months.