Cortez in Montezuma County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Montezuma County Court House

Circa 1937

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 10, 2020

1. Montezuma County Court House Marker

Inscription. Originally located one block to the south on the corner of First and Chestnut Streets, the Montezuma County Court House was constructed on this site in 1937.

The designation of Cortez as the County Seat reflected the vision of our pioneer leaders who settled the Montezuma Valley. In 1889, the year Cortez was selected as the County Seat, both Mancos and Delores were considerably larger communities and therefore more likely to be selected. The majestic spruce trees seen in the photograph in front of the building are a gauge to the age of the building (some 61 years old in 1998). The original brick construction is still in place on the western portion of the building.

Caption: The eastern (red brick section) of the building was finished in 1960.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 37° 20.909′ N, 108° 35.228′ W. Marker is in Cortez, Colorado, in Montezuma County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S. 160), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 West Main Street, Cortez CO 81321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Soldier's Homestead (within shouting distance of this marker); Marshal W.G. Clucas Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Citizens State Bank

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Cortez Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Office Outpost (J.C. Penney Building) (about 400 feet away); Wilson (Stone Block) Building (about 400 feet away); Cortez Travel (Duncan Beauty Shop) (about 500 feet away); Charles Duff Mercantile (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cortez.

Regarding Montezuma County Court House. Cortez, Colorado’s historic Montezuma County Courthouse was constructed during the Great Depression. The project was enabled by federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a grant of $29,235 toward the project, whose eventual total cost was $64,966. Construction occurred between October 1936 and July 1937. — Source:The Living New Deal

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 10, 2020

2. Montezuma County Court House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on August 17, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

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