My husband and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, and in honor of this momentous occasion, my hubby planned a fabulous vacation for us in Colorado. Knowing my love for all things historical, he planned a trip to Durango and Silverton for us. Since we just finished our stay in Silverton, I thought I would share some highlights with you.
Silverton is a historic mining town that was founded in 1874. It really boomed, however, when the Denver & Rio Grande Railway came to town in 1882. This railway is still run today with steam engines on the preserved Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway. Wes and I were supposed to ride the train up to Silverton, but due to hazardous fire conditions, our train was cancelled. We’re hoping to get a shorter ride in later this week if the weather cooperates, but in the meantime, we made the drive up to Silverton so we could still enjoy the town.
We got to stay in the Grand Imperial Hotel, a fabulous historic hotel built in 1883 filled with antiques. I loved it! The Grand Hotel was the crown jewel of Silverton in its boomtown years, playing host to well known historical figures such as Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Lillian Russell.
One fun note about the piano in the lobby: John Wannamaker, founder of the Wannamaker Department Store in Philadelphia, traveled to Silverton in the late 1800’s. He ordered this piano from his own store, shipped it to San Francisco, met the ship in California, then traveled with the piano the rest of the way to Silverton to deliver it to the Grand Imperial Hotel around the turn of the century. And it’s still there!
Walking down Green Street (the main street) is like walking back in time. (If you can ignore all the cars and people in modern clothing.) So well preserved. And so many fun restaurants. We sampled several. The first night, we ate at the Handlebar Saloon. I had Colorado rainbow trout and my hubby had the local specialty elk burger.
We enjoyed breakfast at the Lone Spur Cafe. Wes ate the wagon wheel pancake, aptly named since it’s nearly the size of a wagon wheel. Huge! The place was filled with wonderful western décor. Loved it!
We finished our visit with lunch at Natalia’s 1912 Restaurant. Really good food for a reasonable price, but my favorite thing about it was the scandal of knowing I was eating a meal in a place of ill-repute. Like many of the buildings on the notorious Blair Street, Natalia’s was once a bordello.
One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the old jail and mining museum. This place was huge and filled with so many wonderful historical artifacts. My writer’s heart thrilled at the displays and my writer’s brain worked hard to absorb as much as I could. I took scores of photographs. I will only post my three favorite here for you to enjoy.
And I couldn’t wrap up this post without the very cool stage coach we ran across in town.
All in all, we’re having a wonderful time!
You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t respond to your comments in a timely fashion. I promise to read them, but since we won’t be home until Saturday, my computer access is limited.
Have you ever visited Silverton or any other historically preserved site?
Latest posts by Karen Witemeyer (see all)
- Karen’s Favorites - May 4, 2025
- Spring Reading Bouquet - May 1, 2025
- April in Texas = Bluebonnets - April 17, 2025
RIGHT up your alley! What a great trip to celebrate a big anniversary! I don’t think we’ve ever been to Silverton but we’ve visited Durango many times while staying in Pagosa Springs on family vacations. Such a neat part of the state. Especially for a historical writer!
Yes, Deb, this place fit me to a T. 🙂 You’ll have to stop by the next time you are in the Durango area. The drive up to Silverton, and even further, up to Ouray (the Million Dollar Highway) has some gorgeous views.
So glad you’re having a fabulous time. Looks like so much fun! I’d be taking a million photos. I look forward to maybe seeing some of what you’re experiencing in a book one day. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
You never know what little seed might spur a book idea. I just finished a book that utilized a cave, inspired by one I visited 2-3 years ago.
Karen, congratulations on your 30th anniversary! Is this trip to Colorado putting into your mind any ideas for your next book?
We have a video taken along the Durango and Silverton RR route. Such a beautiful area! Colorado seems to be full of beautiful and interesting railroad excursions. I hope you get another opportunity to take a longer train ride.
I hope you are enjoying the rest of your anniversary trip.
Thanks, Hilda. We were actually able to ride the train today! First day they were back running. We didn’t go all the way to Silverton but took that shorter route to Cascade Canyon, and it was beautiful!
Forget quick replies. Have a wonderful rest of your trip!! Loved all the photos.
Thanks, Robin. 😉
So fun! I’m going to put that on my list of places to go! 🙂
You would love it, D’Ann! Although, I’m VERY jealous of your trip to Scotland. Hope you have a wonderful time!
Your trip sounds like fun! (You should hit Galena, IL sometime. All President Grant, all the time.) We just returned from Europe, where we visited 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites! The first was the medieval city of Segovia, Spain, with its ancient Roman viaduct, and the second was Strasbourg, France, with its majestic pink granite 16th-century cathedral. Fun fact: The first service held in the cathedral after Strasbourg was liberated from German occupation in December 1944 was for the Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and it was PACKED with Allied soldiers. The sacrifices endured by the Allies in liberating Alsace are memorialized inside the cathedral.
What wonderful places to get to see, Janice! I love the history in Europe. I’ve never been to Spain or France, but I’ve visited a few other places. Would love to experience more. The churches over there are AMAZING. I got to spend two days in Rome and was just blown away.
Glad you are having such a wonderful trip for your anniversary. I love all of your pictures!
My husband and I always made it a point to see all of the historical sites wherever we traveled. One that reminds me so much of your trip is our visit to Deadwood, South Dakota.
Have a safe rest of your journey!
Thanks, Betty. I’ve never made it to Deadwood, but I definitely want to. So much to see up there!
Have a wonderful time! I’m hoping to squeeze in a getaway to CO next month. These pictures are definitely reinforcing my desire to visit that part of the country. You’re in JEANS! In JUNE!
Ha! Don’t let the jeans fool you. It reached 90 yesterday and today in Durango. In Silverton, it was cooler since it is at higher elevation, though. Tomorrow is supposed to be a little cooler for our last day. We’re hoping to do a zipline adventure. Can’t wait! Hope you get your Colorado adventure, Becky!
Looks great! My husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary about 2 months ago by going to NW Florida and spending time with my twin sister and husband (who celebrated their 40th) and visiting the beautiful beaches. Have a great trip! I was took the Silverton-Durango train trip about 33 years ago with a friend, and there was a snowstorm at the time – in June!!
Happy 30th to you, too, Denise! Sounds like you had a great celebration trip. I’m very thankful we didn’t have snow in June this year. 🙂
We have lived in CO for 50+ years. Years ago we first visited the south western part of the state and loved Silverton and the Million Dollar highway. It sounds like lots of the fun places are still bringing joy.
I have loved reading about your adventures.
Happy 30th Anniversary!! Sounds like an awesome way to celebrate! I may have to put this vacation destination on my list of places to discover and enjoy! Have fun and refresh your body and mind!
L
Enjoyed seeing all the posts of your trip! My family and I took our very first family vacation to Ouray in 2018. We spent an afternoon in Silverton, but didn’t see as much as you did. I remember most how the town is built on a grid and well preserved. Wonderful experience!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for letting us share in the adventure 🙂 Your question made me smile because my home town of Heppner, Oregon, sounds similar, though there are many other well preserved “western” and/or “mining” towns in rural eastern Oregon. Baker City (off I-84) was a mining boom town in its day. In addition to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, there’s a wonderful local museum down Baker City by the park downtown that’s well worth viewing (your heart for artifacts/antiques of the Old West would make it worth your while). Tourism has helped sustain our rural economy as timber and mining have dwindled, though farming and ranching remain a staple. Thanks again for sharing the fun!