Community - Ouray

Ouray is one of those mining towns of long ago that refused to become a ghost town. Silver, gold and other precious ores gave her life.

Prior to the arrival of the miners the Tabequache Indians, a nomadic Ute tribe, traveled to this area during the summer months to hunt for abundant game and to soak in what they referred to as the “sacred mineral waters.” Originally named Uncompahgre City, after the Ute word that means “hot water springs,” the name was later changed in honor of the Ute Chief, Ouray, who was instrumental in negotiating the Brunot Agreement of 1873 between the encroaching settlers and the Ute tribes. That treaty ultimately led to thousands of prospectors and settlers migrating to this area of the San Juan Mountains.

The first white settlers in Ouray were prospectors, A. W. "Gus" Begole and Jack Echols, who arrived in July, 1875 from the vicinity of Engineer Mountain. They made a big strike of high grade ore and named their claim the Mineral Farm. They were followed directly by a group of prospectors: John Munroe, R. F. Long, A. J. Staley, Logan Whitlock, M. W. Cline and others. A number of claims were laid out, including the Trout and Fisherman lodes which were located in present day Box Canyon Park.

On August 28, 1875 the town site of "Uncompahgre City" was laid out by Begole, Eckles, M. W. Cline, R. F. Long, A. J. Staley and Logan Whitlock and surveyed by D. W. Brunton, who was an engineer who happened to be in the area. Cline and Long took up residence on the town site almost immediately, even driving stakes into the densely wooded forest to indicate alleys and street. A few weeks afterward several cabins were constructed thereon. During the winter months little building occurred, owing to the fact that the prospectors left. Over the winter of 1875-1876, several men and a few women remained in the new settlement. Judge Long, Captain Cline and the Cutler brothers had gone back to Saguache to obtain supplies for those who were staying the winter. The travelers arrived in Saguache on November 7, 1875 and left the same day with two wagons full of supplies, arriving in Uncompahgre City on December 7, 1875. Captain cline returned to Saguache with the two wagons full of ore from the Trout and Fisherman Mine.

In November, 1875 a Captain Butler's wife gave birth to the first white child born in the town.

Also during the winter of 1875-76, a decision was made to change the new town's name to "Ouray" instead of "Uncompahgre City." Perhaps it was a move to seek Ouray's protection or perhaps in thanks for the help he gave the settlers during that first rough winter.

The following spring an influx of miners began anew. Captain Cline returned from Saguache with thirty men. The settlement had began its growth.

News spread quickly to the east, and soon Ouray became a unique mining town filled with eager men and formidable women seeking a quick fortune. In early spring of 1876, a Mr. Randall brought in a stock of groceries and started Ouray's first store out of Staley and Whitlock's log cabin. Judge Stevens established a blacksmith shop in late May, 1876. This gave the prospectors a way to buy tools and sharpen their drill steel, as well as a means of shoeing the horses.

Saguache Chronicle
Saguache, Saguache County

May 20, 1876

Page 3

Saguache Colo. May 19th 1876.

EDITOR CHRONICLE--Having just returned from a trip to the new town of Ouray, on the Uncompahgre river, and knowing that a great many people are interested in news from that point, I will (if you will give me space in your paper) give a short account of what I saw and heard.

I left Saguache on the 27th of April and reached Ouray the 12th of May, traveling with pack animals, I had but little trouble or delay on account of mud or high water. At the Lake fork of the Gunnison, where the road to Ouray leaves the Lake City road, about 65 miles from Saguache, a snow storm occurred by which I was delayed three days, the snow fell to the depth of about ten inches and as all of it went off in two days, you can imagine that some mud was the result. Wagons had great difficulty in getting along, some laid over while others pulled through regardless of horse-flesh. The road was nearly dry before this storm -- when dry a good two horse team can take 2,000 pounds over the road anywhere.

Major Cutler was about completing the bridge across the Gunnison as I arrived, but as I struck the river about a mile below on the Indian trail, I forded there without trouble. I also forded the Cimmaron, the next and only stream between the Gunnison and Uncompahgre, without trouble.

I found good grass all of the way and animals, unless worked too hard will need no other feed. There are plenty of small streams to camp on, so that drives can be made to suit everybody.

Ouray is pleasantly situated in a small park of about 650 acres. The park is well timbered and watered and plenty of grass grows in and about it, for the need of any stock that may be taken there.

When we consider, that it is only from 5 to 7 miles to the mines around the head waters of the Uncompahgre, it won't take much figuring to show that all of the ore of this district, as well as those of Poughkeepsie Fork and Canon Creek will go to Ouray to be treated.

When I arrived at Ouray, on the 12th of May, there was no snow in or about the town. Everything was dry and pleasant.

I saw Messrs. Blythe, Ohlwiler, Sanborn, Quinn, Capt. Cline and others too numerous to mention. All were contented and happy, and seemed assured of the future greatness of Ouray.

Mr. Geo. B. Green made a short visit, but as he located at Lake City last year, and has a great deal of mining property up Henson creek, no one expected him to stop at Ouray. On his way out he was taken with a sort of dog in the manger fit, and justified the howl he set up about Ouray, by saying that he considered it his duty to his fellow man. Oh! the effects of the waters of the hot springs of Ouray! You that are acquainted with him, or were before he partook of the "healing waters," now behold him practicing philanthropy. George reminds us of an historical personage of the same name, but everybody in Ouray knows why this George is not like him.

I met Mayor Barker, who is still pursing his inquiry about Ouray, with a view to putting up some reduction works. As I returned to Saguache I observed that the roads were rapidly drying, and dispite[sic] the unfavorable report, that seemed so palatable to the Silver World, people were still inquiring the way to Ouray.

Yours Truly, J. C.

In June, 1876, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon started a hotel in their log cabin. She furnished the meals, but guests had to bring their own bedding, and they slept on the floor.

On June 24, 1876, The Colorado Springs Gazette posted a list of arrivals at the hotels during the week ending June 22, 1876. C. D. Cruggs of the Ouray mines was a guest at Bacon's Exchange.

On August 1, 1876 a man named Tanner opened a store in a tent, but he died soon thereafter and became Ouray's first burial. Another source reports that the first death from disease or sickness in Ouray occurred in August, 1877, so it is presumed that Tanner died from an accident or died a natural death.

On October 2, 1876, the town of Ouray was officially incorporated, although the official survey by H.W. Reed wasn't completed until October 30, 1876. On September 13, 1876, the San Juan county commissioners (the town of Ouray was located in San Juan county at this time) approved a request by the citizens of Uncompahgre City that the new plat be accepted by now with the name "Ouray". Ira Munn, Robert Long, Theron Stevens, M. W. Cline and James Call were appointed the first board of trustees. They held their first meeting October 4, 1876 and appointed William Munn the town clerk. On January 25, 18977, M. W. Cline paid $375 to the United States government in exchange for title to Ouray's 300 acres.

At the time of incorporation, Ouray had a population of 400. There were 214 dwellings, 4 general stores, a sawmill and other assorted establishments. Saloons, gambling halls and houses of prostitution quickly followed. The mining camp grew into a town, becoming more "civilized," with its own water works, the Ouray Hose Company to put out fires, a community hall, and by 1876, a school district.

The winter of 1876-77 was sever and residents existed primarily on bread and coffee. Game was scarce and sometimes meat was not available for weeks at a time. Ouray merchants took lesson from that winter and learned to bring in huge stores of supplies for the winter.

In January 1877, Ouray County was formed from the northern end of San Juan County and Ouray was made the county seat. At the time of its founding, Ouray County included the area that would later become Dolores and San Miguel counties. (see the County history.)

Captain Cline was the first postmaster and he distributed the mail out of his small log cabin until a frame building was built for him in 1877. The courthouse now stands on that spot.

Also in 1877, Judge Stevens was joined by Louis King, who was not only a blacksmith, but also an accomplished carriage maker. The first saw mill was built the same year by Ira Munn. Ira and his brother, William, also built an ore-sampling works on that spot. The purpose of sampling was to help mine owners determine if they were being cheated by the mills or smelters by coming up with an assay value of the ore being shipped.

The Bank of Ouray was established by J. Fogg in 1877, but soon afterward went into voluntary liquidation. The Miners and Merchants Bank of Ouray was founded in 1878 by M. D. and John A. Thatcher of Pueblo, with A. G. Siddons as cashier. The First National Bank of Ouray was opened September 5, 1889, with George Arthur Rice, president; L. L. Bailey, cashier.