Telluride in San Miguel County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Sheridan Pool Hall
| | Telluride Historical Museum | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025
1. Sheridan Pool Hall Marker
Built before 1886, this is one of Telluride's oldest commercial buildings, and one of eight structures in Town that has a conventional false front. This building is significant because it is a standing example of Telluride's early boomtown architecture. The structure was originally home to the Sheridan Pool Hall from 1886 into the 1960's. During Prohibition the building continued to operate as a billiard parlor and a 'soda' shop.
The square facade with a simple overhanging wood cornice hides the gable roof form. On the first floor, the mullions that separate the windows have chamfered edges. A belt course delineates the top of the first floor. Notice the original tongue-and-groove and clapboard siding.
Erected by Town of Telluride and Colorado Historical Society.
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) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 37° 56.22′ N, 107° 48.58′ W. Marker is in Telluride, Colorado, in San Miguel County. It is
this page online
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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Social Lodges (within shouting distance of this marker); Labor Strikes (within shouting distance of this marker); Mining (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Waggoner Swindle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mahr Building (about 500 feet away); First County Courthouse Site (about 600 feet away); New Sheridan Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away);
William A. Graves photo, courtesy of The Rio Grand Southern Story Vol. II
2. Marker detail: Sheridan Pool Hall, date unknown
Regarding Sheridan Pool Hall. 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 district.
Early photographs of Telluride show that Colorado Avenue was once lined with wood frame, false front buildings. The main street still includes nine buildings with false front facades, most with simple,bracketed cornices. At least three of these buildings, including the former Sheridan Pool Hall at 201 East Colorado Avenue, date from the 1870s. Each of these buildings appears on the 1886 Sanborn-Perris insurance Map, the earliest available for Telluride.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 20253. Sheridan Pool HallColorado Cultural Resource Survey:
The marker is mounted at the southwest corner of the building, facing East Colorado Avenue. Today the building houses a popular restaurant.
Click for more information.
Also see . . . Telluride Historic District. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. (Submitted on February 6, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 33 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
