Silverton, Colorado, which is perched in a lofty valley at 9,000 feet in the southern San Juan Mountains, began as a mining town and later evolved into a recreation center with a strong focus on heritage tourism. This is typical of many Colorado mountain towns. Silverton, however, has not been pampered and manicured into a resort for the wealthy way many of its neighboring mountain burgs have. Nothing upscale can be found here. The vitality of a distant mountain community where snowfall is measured in feet and whiskey is served neat is still present in Silverton.
Silverton is all the more endearing, genuine, and adventurous because the rough-and-tumble attitude hasn’t been cleaned away. It has a tangible history, unpretentious services, and a limitless array of adventures. A journey to Silverton is sure to be an experience even if it’s difficult to reach and sometimes feels like a step back in time.
The infamous Blair Street in Silverton and Kendall Mountain Lodge
The Ladies who worked this stretch were regarded as a social need in this mining town because it used to be crammed with saloons, gambling dens, and bordellos—rang with the loud noise of young, unmarried men. Even though their lives were frequently difficult, violent, lonely, and drug-filled, penalties from their companies kept the town’s coffers full. Even though they were frequently harshly chastised, many lives were saved as a result of their willingness to care for the sick during the 1918 flu outbreak.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Marilyn Monroe and other actresses were drawn to Silverton’s ancient structures by Hollywood. They were the only ones swaying over these spindly balconies by that time.
The mythological West where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday had truly traveled was created by westerns like “A Ticket to Tomahawk,” “The Maverick Queen,” “Night Passage,” and “How the West Was Won.”
The Blair Street Historic District Association is now putting a lot of effort into restoring and enhancing the street to fit its future vision. Columbine Park will now have street lights, wooden sidewalks, new public facilities, as well as a performance venue thanks to a recent $50,000 donation from former senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
The newest hotel in Silverton! Welcome to Kendall Mountain Lodge, which is near several of Silverton’s top eateries, nightclubs, and retail establishments on Notorious Blair Street. Our rooms have all been updated with ensuite bathrooms, fresh linens, Smart TVs, and access to a microwave and refrigerator. Let us serve as your home base as you explore everything the San Juans have to offer. Comes from the same people who built the Triangle and Prospector motels.
If you’re looking for something to do, you should check out Kendall Mountain Recreation Area and Mad Dog, while those looking to take in the area’s natural beauty should visit Animas River and Weminuche Wilderness. Don’t forget to experience outdoor activities like mountain climbing, hiking and biking trails, and mountain biking. You can also rent a bike nearby and explore Silverton on your own.
Durango’s Kendall Mountain lodge offers complimentary WiFi and a view of the mountains.
A sofa, a seating area, a TV with cable channels, a fully equipped kitchenette with a dining area, and a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries are included in each unit. Additionally available are a coffee maker, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a burner.
Visitors to the apartment are encouraged to make use of the outdoor pool or the surrounding skiing and cycling.
Durango-La Plata County Airport, located 70.8 miles from the lodging, is the closest airport.