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

New Sheridan Hotel

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

1. New Sheridan Hotel Marker

Inscription.
The New Sheridan Hotel figured prominently in the life and times of early Telluride. In 1903, William Jennings Bryan, while running for President, gave his “Cross of Gold” speech in front of the hotel. The building withstood the fire of 1906, the flood of 1914, and was host and “watering hole” to miners, rail roaders, cowboys, locals, travelers, the famous, and the infamous of the day.

The New Sheridan Hotel, was constructed in 1897 as a two-story building, and the third story was added in 1899. The cherry and mahogany bar and back-bar were imported from Austria in 1897. The original Sheridan Hotel (constructed 1881) was located on the adjacent lot at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Oak Street (thus the name New Sheridan Hotel for this structure). Both structures were standing until the fire of 1906 which destroyed the original Sheridan Hotel. The reconstruction of the Sheridan Hotel was completed in 1994 and recalls the architecture of the original buildings.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 37° 56.262′ N, 107° 48.743′ W. Marker is in Telluride, Colorado, in San Miguel County. It is on West Colorado Avenue just west of North Fir Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is mounted near the center of the New Sheridan Hotel facade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 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: A Milestone in the History of Alternating Current (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New Sheridan Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Telluride's Founding

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

2. New Sheridan Hotel Marker

The marker is mounted at eye level on a column near the center of the New Sheridan Hotel facade.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Colorado Centennial Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Transportation (within shouting distance of this marker); Telluride (within shouting distance of this marker); Mahr Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Telluride.

Regarding New Sheridan Hotel. Contributing property, Telluride National Historic Landmark District, National Register of Historic Places № 66000256.

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 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
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

3. New Sheridan Hotel (south/front elevation)
district.
The district's contributing buildings include the New Sheridan Hotel, where William Jennings Bryan gave one of his “Cross of Gold” speeches.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. New Sheridan Hotel

Also see . . . New Sheridan Hotel History (NewSheridan.com).

Excerpt: Originally constructed in 1891, the Sheridan Hotel has been welcoming guests for over one hundred and thirty-five years. Like the town itself, the hotel was built with riches from gold and silver discoveries in the surrounding San Juan Mountains. The original Sheridan Hotel was a two-story wooden frame structure located directly east of the Courthouse. A fire destroyed the building in 1893. The present brick building at 231 West Colorado Avenue was erected next door to the burnt lot. The newly constructed, three-story building was completed in 1895 and reopened as the New Sheridan Hotel, this time in brick. The Historic New Sheridan Bar has a carved mahogany bar, room dividers with beveled and lead glass panels, and light fixtures and brass chandeliers dating from the original in 1895 with additions
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

4. New Sheridan Hotel (southwest elevation)
“Old” (left) and “New” (right) Sheridan Hotel structures today.
from the 1930s.

(Submitted on February 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.