News

Mountain Happenings

Ongoing • Move Yoga Schedule Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 pm Gym Hours: 5:30 am- 9pm, 7 days a week (closed during yoga class).Please reach out to move. silverton@gmail.com. if you would like to join the Silverton’s community gym space.
Stage 1 fire restrictions effective July 1 on San Juan National Forest

Stage 1 fire restrictions effective July 1 on San Juan National Forest

Stage 1 fire restrictions effective July 1 on San Juan National Forest

Durango, Colo., June 30, 2025 — San Juan National Forest Fire Management Staff are implementing Stage I Fire Restrictions in lower elevations beginning at 12:01 am on Tuesday, July 1 (see full Forest Order and map). The minimum fine for violating campfire restrictions in Stage I is $530 in Colorado.

What We Do . . . and How We Do It!

The San Juan County Historical Society was established in 1964 as a Non-profit 501(c)(3) Colorado Corporation for preserving the history of San Juan County, Colorado. Our mining heritage has been the heart of San Juan County's development.
Society Chairman Beverly Rich and long- time board member and Treasurer Scott Fetchenhier dedicate a plaque to the late “ Zeke” Zanoni. Zanoni served on the board for many years and spearheaded the Society’s extensive efforts to preserve the local history of hard- rock mining.

Society Chairman Beverly Rich and long- time board member and Treasurer Scott Fetchenhier dedicate a plaque to the late “ Zeke” Zanoni. Zanoni served on the board for many years and spearheaded the Society’s extensive efforts to preserve the local history of hard- rock mining.

2024 Season Capped with 60th Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, Silverton came together to celebrate the San Juan County Historical Society’s 60th year of preserving the region’s rich heritage.

News from the Allen Nossaman Memorial Archive

Several families visited us over the past year inquiring about where their family members were buried at our Hillside Cemetery. We love perusing Freda’s cemetery books with them and sharing their stories. Often times, they will send us copies of their family photos for our collection.

Chairman’s Comments

April 14, 2025 Dear Members, As I write today, the sun is shining on peaks which are losing their snow very early this year. Our spring has come early with temperatures in the low 60s, making the pussy willows bud and the grass start to green up.
In May of 2017, Ken Safranski is shown with the Museum’s Model 8 Linotype loaded after being rolled out from the former Silverton Standard building on Greene Street.

In May of 2017, Ken Safranski is shown with the Museum’s Model 8 Linotype loaded after being rolled out from the former Silverton Standard building on Greene Street.

Eighth Wonder of the World Displayed at Museum

No less an inventor than Thomas Edison declared Ottmar Merganthaler’s Linotype as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The San Juan County Historical Society is proud to have an example of this wonderous machine in its collection.

Background on the Mayflower Mill

The American West once had hundreds of precious metal mills. Now, most are in various stages of ruin. One important exception is the Mayflower Mill, (or the Shenandoah-Dives Mill) located two miles northeast of Silverton and is a National Historic Landmark.