Ouray Historical Markers Project
This project was paid for in part by a State Historical Fund grant from the Colorado Historical Society. The contents and opinions contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Colorado Historical Society.
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The Historic Marker Project was conceived by the Ouray Chamber Resort Association and its Board of Directors. The Ouray County Historical Society and the City of Ouray soon gave their enthusiastic support to the idea. Thus, the project was launched. Members from each supporting organization and several interested persons from the community formed a committee to oversee the project. Seventy five percent of the funds raised came in the form of a grant from the Colorado Historical Society/State Historical Fund. The City of Ouray's Beautification Committee, the Ouray Chamber Resort Association, Roger & Angie Henn (residents of Ouray), and various individuals as well as businesses on Main Street contributed money to meet the 25 percent matching funds obligation required by the State Historical Fund. Steven Baker, President of Centuries Research in Montrose, CO, provided much in kind support. He is the archaeologist who investigated the Vanoli Block which is block eight of this historic endeavor.
Markers, all eight of them, were placed on Main Street in the city's principal business district between 2003 and 2006 for the pleasure and enrichment of visitors and residents alike. The author has written this material primarily as an accompaniment to the eight historic markers. It is hoped that these markers, stories, and photographs will pique people's interest in and enjoyment of history, especially that of the City of Ouray.
The Markers
Each sign features an artist’s rendition, skillfully rendered from Museum archival photographs, of two time periods for each Main Streets block. The first time period is the late 1880s and the second is the early 1900s. From the vantage point at the marker, the viewer can look across the street and visualize what structures the block contained in those eras compared to what the block looks like today. For viewer interest, the marker also contains a few brief facts about the illustrated time periods. The map below indicates the location of each marker.
To view the markers click on the block numbers below.
