Early History and Railroad Development

Early History and Railroad Development. . In the late 1800s, vast ore deposits were discovered in this vicinity of the San Juan Mountain Range. This resulted in a need for dependable transportation to move the precious minerals down to regional towns and the connecting rail depots., Between 1890 and 1891, Otto Mears spent $9 million to build the narrow-gauge Rio Grande Southern Railroad, which spanned 165 miles from Durango to Ridgway over Lizard Head Pass. Much of the San Juan Skyway parallels the original railroad route, and a segment of the old grade lies across the highway in the meadow., For 60 years, Rio Grande Southern trains traveled these steep grades and high altitudes. After the collapse of the local mining boom in 1893, the railroad was used more for passenger service, carrying mail and the freighting of lumber, coal and livestock., Then, in the 1920s, declining rail revenues led to the development of the rail motor car which required only a one-man crew. Known as the "Galloping Goose", this creation became famous and could also carry passengers, freight and mail., By 1951, with the growth of the trucking industry and improvements to Colorado State Highway 145, it became increasingly difficult for the railroad to compete and it finally folded. Today, the railroad right-of- way from Telluride to Lizard Head Pass is being used as a hiking and mountain biking trail. ,