Ouray - Colorado Ghost Town

OURAY

NAME: Ouray
COUNTY: Ouray
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 7
CLIMATE: Cold winter with snow, mild summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Summer

COMMENTS: Just West of Telluride.
REMAINS: Many original buildings.

Ouray is one of those mining towns of long ago that refused to become a ghost town. Located on highway 550 north of Silverton, it was originally called Uncompahgre City because of the mountain ranges surrounding its locale. As was true with other mining towns in the area, it owed its existence to Utes Indian chief Ouray who stood between the whites and the Ute warriors. In his honor, the town name was changed to Ouray. For over 100 years, Ouray has been known as the "Switzerland of America." Founded in 1876, the town enjoyed a building boom in the 1880s and '90s and most of the buildings are still standing. The Ouray Hotel has, since 1893, been providing Victorian hospitality to travelers from all over the world. The town has a year round population of about 700. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth. Ouray Courtesy Dolores Steele Marker -- Sarah Ann & Sanford Courtesy Dolores Steele Ouray Courtesy Dolores Steele Died 1877 -- 7 mos. Courtesy Dolores Steele	Topography of the Ouray area Courtesy Colorado Highway Department Ouray Courtesy Dolores Steele Ouray Courtesy Dolores Steele The Wright Bldg. - 1881 - was the largest bldg. in Ouray Courtesy Dolores Steele House Courtesy Dolores Steele Ouray Cemetery Courtesy Dolores Steele Rainbow over Ouray - July 2000 Todd Underwood

Ouray is one of those mining towns of long ago that refused to become a ghost town. Located on highway 550 north of Silverton, it was originally called Uncompahgre City because of the mountain ranges surrounding its locale. As was true with other mining towns in the area, it owed its existence to Utes Indian chief Ouray who stood between the whites and the Ute warriors. In his honor, the town name was changed to Ouray. For over 100 years, Ouray has been known as the "Switzerland of America." Founded in 1876, the town enjoyed a building boom in the 1880s and '90s and most of the buildings are still standing. The Ouray Hotel has, since 1893, been providing Victorian hospitality to travelers from all over the world. The town has a year round population of about 700. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.