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

Tomboy Mine Office

— Telluride Historical Museum —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

1. Tomboy Mine Office Marker

Inscription.
In 1904, this building housed the Tomboy Gold Mine's company office, and was reportedly later used as the law offices of Congressman Herschel Hogg. In the early 1900's, the Western Colorado Company became the San Miguel Power Association. SMPA used this building as their offices until 2000. Since it was an office, there was no need for large display windows. Finer detailing includes corbelling on the cornice and below the roof. The brick pattern on the corners form quoins, and the mortar joints between the bricks have been tooled to have a raised bead pattern. Note the decorative front door with colored glass lights. These finer Queen Anne details should be expected from a company that produced over $1.8 million in ore in 1897.

The ruins of the Tomboy Mine still stand today, five miles north of Telluride. The Tomboy town site had a bunkhouse, homes, recreation halls, and even a bowling alley to serve its 200 to 300 residents.

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,

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it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 37° 56.262′ N, 107° 48.805′ W. Marker is in Telluride, Colorado, in San Miguel County. It is on West Colorado Avenue just east of South Aspen Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is mounted near the northeast corner of the subject building, facing West Colorado Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 324 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: Telluride (within shouting distance of this marker); Telluride's Founding (within shouting distance of this marker); A Milestone in the History of Alternating Current

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

2. Tomboy Mine Office Marker

The marker is mounted at eye level near the left edge of the building facade.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Transportation (within shouting distance of this marker); Colorado Centennial Project (within shouting distance of this marker); New Sheridan Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New Sheridan Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Telluride.

Regarding Tomboy Mine Office. 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.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

3. Tomboy Mine Office
Looking south across West Colorado Avenue. Today the building houses commercial offices.
With the arrival of the railroad in 1890, the town gained prominence as the center of a major mining district.
The Telluride NHL district contains 30 commercial buildings which were built between 1878 and 1913, including the Tomboy Mine Office, with Queen Anne influences in the form of brick corbelling.

Also see . . . Tomboy History (Western Mining History).

Excerpt: The impressive Tomboy mine and camp ruins are located several thousand feet above Telluride on Imogene Pass road, a popular four wheel drive route. The Tomboy mine was one of the top three producers in the Telluride district along with the Smuggler-Union and the Liberty Bell. Reports on the number of people living at the Tomboy camp vary widely with some stating several hundred and others more than a thousand. This was one of Colorado's largest alpine company mining camps, a significant community that lasted decades.
The Tomboy mine had many amenities for its hundreds of employees including a YMCA with a bowling alley and tennis courts, and a club that held dances attended by Tomboy residents as well as residents from Telluride and surrounding mines. The Tomboy mine closed in 1928 and the camp was abandoned.

(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 February 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 83 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.