It's All About The Brothels and Bars...We're All Over It Baby!
Okay, maybe not...at least not anymore. But according to one
post card, "Silverton was a true mining town with as many as
40 saloons and brothels on just one notorious street. 'Blair
Street.' Nearly half of these all-wood structures remain today."
We had a great time snooping around and getting caught in the
tourist traps. Not realizing the elevation was so much higher
than Durango, we went in shorts and t-shirts. In the photos
below, Kate is wearing a borrowed sweatshirt. However, we
managed to find some neat sweaters - so in the end, we were
pretty psyched about our debacle.
Okay, maybe not...at least not anymore. But according to one
post card, "Silverton was a true mining town with as many as
40 saloons and brothels on just one notorious street. 'Blair
Street.' Nearly half of these all-wood structures remain today."
We had a great time snooping around and getting caught in the
tourist traps. Not realizing the elevation was so much higher
than Durango, we went in shorts and t-shirts. In the photos
below, Kate is wearing a borrowed sweatshirt. However, we
managed to find some neat sweaters - so in the end, we were
pretty psyched about our debacle.
A Pretty Friendly Sign
For a town that was undoubtedly a little tough in its day.
For a town that was undoubtedly a little tough in its day.
Silverton or Switzerland?
Nestled in this little valley, Silverton was a thriving mining
town from the early 1900's all the way through the 1960's.
In fact, the last mine only closed in 1989.
Nestled in this little valley, Silverton was a thriving mining
town from the early 1900's all the way through the 1960's.
In fact, the last mine only closed in 1989.
The Infamous Blair Street
The streets aren't even paved - it was pretty amazing just
how sleepy, this sleepy little town is. We learned that the
whole place shuts down at 3:30 every day - the same time
the last train back to Durango, departs.
The streets aren't even paved - it was pretty amazing just
how sleepy, this sleepy little town is. We learned that the
whole place shuts down at 3:30 every day - the same time
the last train back to Durango, departs.
Town Hotel
This hotel is still in operation - pretty amazing as it is one
of the original structures.
This hotel is still in operation - pretty amazing as it is one
of the original structures.
The Last Brothel In Operation
The Shady Lady finally closed its doors to "customers" in
the early 1950's, but it remains a working saloon to this
day and was the meeting place for us for our Jeep trip.
The Shady Lady finally closed its doors to "customers" in
the early 1950's, but it remains a working saloon to this
day and was the meeting place for us for our Jeep trip.
Town Hall
This is one of the few new structures in the area - built in
the 1990's.
This is one of the few new structures in the area - built in
the 1990's.
Handlebars
Kate stands outside the most famous
restaurant in town.
Kate stands outside the most famous
restaurant in town.
Moustache Man
Our other photos of this colorful restaurant
did not come out - but this one pretty much
sums up the atmosphere.
Our other photos of this colorful restaurant
did not come out - but this one pretty much
sums up the atmosphere.
On The Road To Silverton
Even the bus ride up the mountain was gorgeous.
Colorado really is one of the most captivating places in
the world.
Even the bus ride up the mountain was gorgeous.
Colorado really is one of the most captivating places in
the world.
He Can't Help Himself
And Brent managed to start a chain reaction
with all five kids and even the other four adults
on board - it was so much fun.
And Brent managed to start a chain reaction
with all five kids and even the other four adults
on board - it was so much fun.
Journeys
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| August 2006 |
Silverton
