Telluride in San Miguel County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Courthouse

— Telluride Historical Museum —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

1. Courthouse Marker

Inscription.
In the fall of 1887, work on the San Miguel County Courthouse was completed. This was just nine months after the original courthouse, located on the southeast corner of Fir and Colorado burned to the ground on January 13, 1887. The bricks from the first courthouse were used in the construction of the second. This two-story Italianate building was erected at the highest point on Colorado, Ave., very fitting for a public building.

Since this was a civic building, there is a greater level of refinement in the details, including plenty of windows. Note the three-story tower with a pyramid roof. The tower originally had windows in it; and the clock was re-installed in 1976 for the Colorado Centennial celebration. The original roof was fish scale shingles, and the original windows were double-hung. There have been some alterations over the years that include a rough stone addition to the west, and a basement entryway on the east facade.

[photo caption]
• Courtesy of the Telluride Historical Museum, date unknown

Erected by Town of Telluride and Colorado Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is

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listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 37° 56.272′ N, 107° 48.771′ W. Marker is in Telluride, Colorado, in San Miguel County. It is at the intersection of West Colorado Avenue and Oak Street (now a pedestrian walkway), on the left when traveling east on West Colorado Avenue. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the south/front facade of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305 West Colorado Avenue, Telluride CO 81435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Colorado Centennial Project

San Miguel County Courthouse entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

2. San Miguel County Courthouse entrance

This marker is the bottom one of three markers mounted on the right side of the courthouse entrance.

(here, next to this marker); Telluride's Founding (within shouting distance of this marker); A Milestone in the History of Alternating Current (within shouting distance of this marker); Telluride (within shouting distance of this marker); New Sheridan Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Transportation (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New Sheridan Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Tomboy Mine Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Telluride.

Regarding Courthouse. Contributing property, National Register of Historic Places № 66000256 and Colorado State Register of Historic Places Site № 5SM.752.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Christine Whitacre, 11/1985:
The Telluride National Historic Landmark District is nationally significant for its founding as a new settlement on America's western frontier; for its importance as a precious metal mining district; and for its architecture which, as a whole, represents a 19th century mining frontier “boom town.” The Telluride NHL district's period
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

3. Tower Clock Marker
(mounted above the historical marker)
Installed November 13, 1976
by the Telluride Centennial Committee
Elvira F. Wunderlich, ChairmanLola Swan • Irene R. Visintin • Juanita Wright • Maxine Evans • Rev. Al Johnston • Thomas Hale
of national significance is 1878-1913. Telluride's inception in 1878 was a direct result of silver discoveries made in the area in 1875. With the arrival of the railroad in 1890, the town gained prominence as the center of a major mining district.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. San Miguel County Courthouse, Colorado

Also see . . .
1. San Miguel County Courthouse (Society of Architectural Historians).

(by Thomas J. Noel) Excerpt: A central, three-story brick clock tower distinguishes this two-story Italianate building, which incorporates red bricks from the first county courthouse. Over the years the courthouse hosted dances, lectures, community meetings, shows, revivals, fairs, and religious services.

(Submitted on September 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. American Courthouses: San Miguel County, Colorado.

Excerpt: Built: 1887 • Style: Romanesque/Italianate • Architect: Varian and Sterner of Denver • Contractor: W H Nelson
The central square red colored brick clock tower rises from the first story entrance with
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

4. San Miguel County Courthouse
(south/front elevation)
Looking north across West Colorado Avenue.
small balcony on the second story, clock on the third story and steep pyramid roof at the top. The base of the building is course stone with dual steps to the first story entrance. The roof is hipped. The courtrooms are located on the second floor. The building houses the District Court and County Court of the 7th Judicial District. The building was restored in 2002.
The county was created in 1861 and San Miguel City was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a two-story brick structure located on the southwest corner of Colorado Avenue and Fir Street in 1885 to 1886. In 1887, San Miguel City changed name to Telluride.

(Submitted on September 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

San Miguel County Courthouse (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

5. San Miguel County Courthouse (southeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.