Ouray in Ouray County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Block 11: 500-548 Main Street

Lots 13-24

— Ouray National Historic District —

Block 11: 500-548 Main Street Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2025

1. Block 11: 500-548 Main Street Marker

Inscription.
Standing here, one sees significant change across the street between the mid-1880's, 1902, and the present. In 1876 two wooden buildings were erected at the north end of this block. The next year a two-story frame building, known as the Bucket of Blood Saloon, stood at the opposite end. By the late nineteenth century, brick buildings were beginning to replace earlier wooden structures. The date above each building indicates when it was built. The artist has made every effort to accurately reproduce these structures from archival photographs.

Erected 2005 by Colorado Historical Society and Ouray County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 1.334′ N, 107° 40.282′ W. Marker is in Ouray, Colorado, in Ouray County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 550) just north of 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 533 Main Street, Ouray CO 81427, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Western Slope.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Block 19: 501-545 Main Street (a few steps from this marker); Beaumont (within shouting distance of this marker); Beaumont Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Walsh Bell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); True Grit Landmark #11 (about 300 feet away); Ouray Elks Lodge (about 400 feet away); Block 18: 601-647 Main Street (about 400 feet away); Box Canon Sign (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ouray.

Also see . . .
1. Ouray Historic District (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The Ouray Historic District, in Ouray, Colorado, is a 114-acre historic district which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Many of the commercial buildings are Italianate in style; many residences are Victorian. Its 270 contributing buildings include government and commercial
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2025

2. Block 11: 500-548 Main Street Marker
Looking west across Main Street.
buildings. Many of the commercial buildings are along Ouray's Main Street, also known as Third Street, which is U.S. Highway 550. The historic district encompasses almost all the original townsite.

(Submitted on March 10, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Ouray Historic District (History Colorado).

Excerpt: Located in the San Juan mountains, the district reflects Ouray’s importance as a supply center for the nearby mining regions from 1886 to 1915. The buildings within the district represent a variety of styles, with brick Italianate structures predominating in the commercial area. Primarily frame residential structures are found on the hillsides overlooking the town.

(Submitted on March 10, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.