Telluride
History & Culture
Founding & History
Founded in the late 1870s during Colorado’s silver and gold mining boom, Telluride quickly grew into a bustling frontier settlement. Originally named “Columbia,” the town changed its name to avoid confusion with a California community. Mining defined the economy for decades, drawing fortune-seekers and immigrants from across the globe. After the mining decline in the mid-20th century, Telluride reinvented itself as a ski resort and cultural hub, preserving its historic architecture while fostering a vibrant tourism-driven economy.
Cultural Significance
Telluride’s heart is its National Historic Landmark District, designated in 1961. The downtown showcases preserved Victorian-era architecture, wooden storefronts, and authentic frontier streetscapes from the late-1800s silver mining boom. These structures create a living museum of Old West heritage.
Each Labor Day weekend since 1974, the Telluride Film Festival turns the town into a global cinema hub. Known for its secrecy, the festival reveals its film lineup only upon opening, attracting acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts from around the world.
Every June, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival fills the mountain air with music. From legendary performers to late-night jam sessions in campsites, this gathering transforms Telluride into a lively celebration of roots, folk, and bluegrass traditions.
Notable Events & Stories
Butch Cassidy’s 1889 Bank Robbery; His first recorded heist, carried out at the San Miguel Valley Bank.
Mining Union Strikes; Telluride was a flashpoint for early 20th-century labor disputes that shaped Colorado’s mining history.
Telluride Film Festival Premieres; Renowned for hosting world premieres of major films and attracting Hollywood’s elite.
Local Heroes & Notables
Eliza Ashley; A pioneering woman who ran multiple local businesses in the 1890s.
Tommy Moe; Olympic gold medalist skier who trained in the San Juan Mountains.
Bill Mahoney; Key figure in developing Telluride Ski Resort’s terrain and reputation.
Fun & Surprising Facts
Telluride was the site of the first successful long-distance transmission of alternating current (AC) electricity in 1891, powering local mines from Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant.
Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank here in 1889, escaping with over $20,000.
The entire town is a designated National Historic Landmark District.