Telluride History

History of Telluride Mining Town Memoirs Telluride’s history is as colorful as the Victorian homes lining the streets. From 1887 on, Telluride began to earn its place on the map as a budding mining town. Most say Telluride is named after tellurium, a nonmetallic element associated with rich mineral deposits of gold and silver. Others say it originated from the castaway call To-Hell-You-Ride, shouted by loved ones who knew of the town’s boisterousness. Nearly 5,000 people inhabited Telluride at the height of the Gold Rush, and more millionaires (per capita) lived in Telluride than in New York City at turn of the century. The Tomboy Mine was one of the world’s greatest gold producers and over $360 million dollars of gold was pulled out of the mine during the rush. The wealth of Telluride attracted the likes of Butch Cassidy, who began his illustrious bank robbing career in town. In 1889, Butch walked away from his first heist at the San Miguel Valley Bank with $24,580, never to be recovered. The 1950’s brought a mining bust and in 1953 many of the area’s mine’s shut down and Telluride luster faded into a sleepy ghost town. Blazing Trails Snow, once despised by the miners, falls in glorious abundance on nearby mountaintops and put Telluride back on the map. Nearly 20 years later, Joe Zoline, a wealthy entrepreneur from Beverly Hills, envisioned a ski area graced with champagne powder. In 1972 the Telluride Ski Resort opened with five lifts and a day lodge. Six years later, Colorado natives Ron Allred and Jim Wells purchased the ski area from Zoline and the Simonius-Vischer Corporation. Through the years, Allred and Wells transformed Telluride into a world-class resort through mountain and lift upgrades, construction of on-mountain restaurants and trails, development of Mountain Village, creation of innovative public transportation systems (gondola and chondola) and most recently, the development of Prospect Bowl. In 2001, Hideo Joe Morita, an avid skier and partner in Arai Ski Resort, Japan, purchased the Telluride Ski Resort. Three years later, in February 2004, the resort transferred hands to Chuck and Chad Horning, a father/son team from Newport Beach, California, who are currently the majority owners. The Hornings are focused on economic, cultural and environmental sustainability. Today, the population teeters around 2,200 and skis, boots and snowboards have replaced the pick, shovel and hammer. Few predicted the incredible impact snow would have on this once sleepy town. Telluride, again, is a desirable, energetic community. Mention Telluride, and those who know this authentic mountain gem grin in appreciation of its sheer beauty and charm.