Ross Moore Library

In 2000 the Ouray County Historical Society (OCHS) received an extraordinary and generous gift of over 4,000 volumes from the late Ross Moore of Lake Jackson, Texas. The collection focuses on mining, geology, mineralogy, and the history of Colorado, especially the San Juan region. There are also materials related to other areas including New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Montana, and Wyoming.
The Ouray County Historical Society is privileged to be the repository and caregiver of the material.

Due to Mr. Moore's generous donation, other individuals have donated all or part of their collections to the library which has now grown to over 10,000 volumes. Subject matter includes:

​

• Mining - history, methods, economics, location and ore genesis, analysis and processing

• Mineralogy - crystallography, microscopy, geomorphology, stratigraphy and petrography

• Geology - geophysics, geochemistry, tectonics, volcanology and energy resources 

• History - topics relating to the history of the southwestern United States including Native Americans.

• Maps - the collection includes a large number of maps relating to mining and geology.

 

The publication dates range from 1875 – 2021. Hardback books comprise about 30% of the collection; softcover books the remaining 70%.

​

Researchers from various parts of the country utilize the library. The Ouray County Historical Society, its Board of Directors and Executive Director have pledged to make and keep the library available to the public. The public may check books out from the collection and can assist with or conduct research for interested parties, find out more about accessing the collection below.