Silverton, CO

Silverton was an old western silver mining town that's now an old western tourist town. It serves as the northern terminus of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which kind of adds to the wild west ambience. Silverton is also a great place for winter sports. There's Kendall Mountain Ski area for traditional downhillers and Silverton Mountain for extreme skiers. There are also lots of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. I went to Silverton a lot - every time we had friends or family visit. I still go a lot but with fewer friends or family.

Silverton
View from US 550

Kendall Peak

Silverton
Storm Peak (left) Tower Mountain (right)

Silverton (no audio)

Welcome to Silverton

Greene Street - this is the only paved street in town

Greene Street (2000)

Grand Imperial Hotel
gets a facelift

Greene Street (2011)

Anvil Mountain? and
Teller House Hotel

Brown Bear Cafe

Outdoor World
Wow! Those colors really pop!

SUV circa 1943

View southwest down Greene Street (2021)

Shops along Greene Street

Wyman Hotel 1902

Wyman Hotel Lobby
Andrew behind the bar

Silverton City Hall 1908

Blair Street (Empire Street)

Also known as Notorious Blair Street since it was originally the "red light district". The city council changed the name to Empire Street, but many businesses still list Blair Street as their address.

Old Town Square

Shops in Old Town Square

Affordable housing

Blair Street Emporium

Shady Lady Saloon

Retired Cross Country Skis

Blair Street

Public Transportation

Silverton Jail 1883

The Lookout

Old Arcade Trading Company

High Noon Hamburgers

Natalia's 1912 Restaurant (2000)

Natalia's 1912 Restaurant (2011)
Check out the Ford Model A

Reese Street

Reese Street
(San Juan County Courthouse upper right)

St. Patrick Catholic Church

Silverton Public Library

Vintage Gasoline Pump

First Congregational Church of Silverton 1876

Cruising Reese Street

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad started life in 1880 hauling gold and silver ore from mining towns in the San Juans to Durango. Now, it's a world famous tourist attraction. The 43 miles of track winds along the Animas River and steep sided mountains. Everyone should ride the D&SNGRR from Durango to Silverton at least once. However, if you can manage it, you should ride the train one-way and have someone pick you up in Silverton. The return trip aboard the train gets a little tedious in my opinion.
For more on the railroad check out the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad photo-essay.

Pulling into Silverton

Railroad Station

??!

"Speeder" utility vehicles

Old Touring Car

Coach "Alamosa"