Visit Silverton, Colorado: A Town that Belongs to the San Juans

If you love quiet, historical towns located throughout the United States, then Silverton, Colorado is perfect for you. Once a fast-paced mining town, Silverton has become a popular destination within the state of Colorado, offering relaxation and fun to anyone who likes history, outdoor activities, or just plain sightseeing!

Silverton became a mining town in the 1870's. Miners from the all over the United States, as well as from Europe and Asia, flooded the area in their search for wealth, traveling great distances through harsh terrain to come to a town they thought would make them rich. The town experienced a boom and residents built a post office, worked in mills or shops, and sold good from trading posts or other markets.

Life in Silverton was hard, but by the late 1870's, the town population had grown to almost 500 inhabitants. Many died the first year from sickness, disease, or natural disasters caused by and including the weather. More people died from mining accidents than anything else, so making a living in Silverton came with great risk.

By the early 1880's, Silverton investors created railways and roads leading to other nearby cities. A railroad track soon wound its way from Durango to Silverton, and then later on extended past Silverton and down into Ouray. The railroad was forced to stop there, due to the extremely rough terrain of the Uncompahgre canyon. By the turn of the century, Silverton grew to its peak of 5000 residents and mining reached its all time high.

Throughout the decades, the population rose and fell with the amount of ore coming out of the mines. At present day, there are about 500 permanent residents residing year-round in Silverton, and tourism is a large part of the city's economy. Historical buildings illustrate life in Silverton, and new construction of homes remains limited in order to preserve the historic feel of the community.

The best time to visit Silverton is during the summer months. The city comes alive with tourists and summer events. Winters usually close Silverton off from any major activity, due to its average annual snowfall of 200 inches!

Silverton offers over twenty restaurants to satisfy any dining preference. Two notable, really great restaurants stand out. Natalia's 1912 Restaurant, located on Blair Street. This home-style restaurant with a variety of foods used to be the location of a popular eating spot/ bordello, or brothel. The food is great, and you can learn about the history of this infamous bordello and see original pieces of the former restaurant from inside. The second great place to try is Handlebars, located on the other side of town, is a popular dining destination that used to be a saloon at the turn of the century. The food is delicious, and don't forget to try the best root beer in the world, Tommyknockers, a local favorite. The interior of Handlebars is decorated with a plethora of still wildlife, courtesy of local taxidermy experts.

When it comes to accommodations, Silverton offers a variety of Bed and Breakfast type hotels. While there are other hotels to choose from, call ahead for reservations because once travelers roll in, there may be limited arrangements.

Silverton is the destination of the very popular Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad coming out of Durango, Colorado. The scenery from this train as it winds its way fifty miles along the Animas river through the San Juan forest is beautiful and serene. You can take the train from Durango and stay the night in Silverton, or do the round trip in one day. Prices vary throughout the year based on the season, starting from $45.00 in the winter months and increasing in price closer to summer. The train also features First Class cabins, which are a little pricier. Wherever you decide to sit, you are guaranteed a fantastic view at all times. The train station in Durango is located near Narrow Gauge Ave near Main Ave.

So even though the city is very small, it has a lot to offer. The historical aspect of it has made it very interesting, all the while enjoying nature at its best.