Tucked into a remote area in the western San Juan Mountains is the town of Silverton, Colorado. History lovers will have a blast in the small mining town that has been around since the 1800s. The entire town is recognized as a historic landmark, so you will be sure to find the town’s rich history everywhere you look.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was a very important part of life in Silverton in the 1800s. It was originally built to haul gold and silver ores to surrounding cities from the San Juan Mountains and was promoted as a scenic trip for passengers as well. The railroad was designated as a National Historic Landmark during the late 1960s. Today, you can visit the railroad museum, take tours of the train yard, and even take a ride on one of these amazing steam engines! A variety of train trips are available year-round.
Take a drive up a scenic 12.3-mile trail heading out of Silverton to the stunning Animas Ghost Town. The first cabin in Animas Forks was built in 1873 and the town was a busy mining community by 1876. Animas Forks was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Currently, the town is a popular tourist destination that's known for its well-maintained historic buildings and stunning views of the San Juan Mountains. Animas Forks is the easiest to visit in the summer.
Also known as the Shenandoah-Dives Mill, the Mayflower Mill was the longest-running mill in the San Juan Mountains. The mill was in operation from 1930-1991 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000. Today, you can take tours of the mill to get an in-depth view of how the gold and silver ores were processed.
This is just a small amount of fun things to do in Silverton. Make sure you also take some time to enjoy the unique shopping, dining, and other local attractions. Have you ever visited these historic landmarks in Silverton, Colorado? We’d love to hear about your favorite historical sites in town!
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