History: 

Ouray is set in one of the most magnificent locations in Colorado. Surrounded by high mountain walls dominated by Mount Abrams to the south, and the awe inspiring Amphitheater to the east, Ouray is truly the Gem of the Rockies. Today the town's history is very evident in its well preserved historic structures. While tourism is a strong contributor to the local economy, Ouray has escaped the excesses of over-development. Make no mistake, this is not Telluride. Real people live here, and real people visit here, to hunt, hike and jeep the high country above town. If you visit in the winter, bring your ice climbing gear or cross country skis. 

The earliest visitors to the area were a group of prospectors who arrived in the summer of 1875 from the vicinity of Engineer Mountain. A number of claims were laid out, including the Fisherman and Trout lodes which were located in present day Box Canyon Park. The first cabin was erected in October of 1875. A year later, the town of Ouray was incorporated on October 2, 1876. 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 include the area that would later become Dolores and San Miguel counties. Dolores County was split off in 1881 with Rico as its county seat. San Miguel County was formed in 1883 with Telluride as its county seat.

By 1880 over 2,600 people lived in Ouray. The local area around Ouray had significant ore deposits, but the greatest concentration of high quality deposits were in the Ironton area 10 miles south of town and the Sneffels district and Imogene Basin workings to the west and southwest. Ouray became the shipping point and logistics center of the region, a role that it would serve for over 90 years.