Montezuma County, Colorado
Bauer Bank Block
Cortez High School
Ertel Funeral Home
Haynie Site
Hovenweep National Monument
Lebanon School
Lowry Ruin
Mancos High School
Mancos Opera House
Mesa Verde Administrative District
Mesa Verde National Park
Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company Flume No. 6
Montezuma Valley National Bank and Store Building
Southern Hotel
Wrightsman House
Yucca House National Monument
1892 Horse-Drawn Pull Grader
A Monument to Time
Bauer House
Belmont Bar
Big Bend and McPhee
Canyon Barriers
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Charles Duff Mercantile
Citizens State Bank
Cliff Dwelling Life
Colorado
Cortez
Cortez Post Office
Cortez Public School (Calkins)
Cortez Travel (Duncan Beauty Shop)
E.R. Lamb Mercantile
Far View Reservoir
Fire Temple
Four Corners
Four Corners Resettled
Greening the Valley
Hemenway House: What's in a Name?
House of Many Windows
Journal Building
Knife Edge...
Mancos High School
Mancos Opera House
Mancos Valley
Marshal W.G. Clucas Residence
Mead & Hengstler Lumber
Mesa Verde Administrative District
Mesa Verde Country
Montezuma County Court House
Montezuma Title & Realty
Montezuma Valley
Montezuma Valley National Bank
Natural Seep Springs
Notah Dineh Trading Company & Museum
Nu-Way Western Wear
Oak Tree House
Office Outpost (J.C. Penney Building)
Owl Café
Pithouse Life
Prehistoric Mesa Verde Reservoirs
Preserving the McElmo Creek Flume
Soldier's Homestead
Southwest Survival
Split-Level History
The Columbine Bar
The Native Americans
Ties that Bind
Time of Transition
Veterans Memorial
War Memorial
Water is Our Story
Water Technology
Welcome to Hovenweep National Monument
Welcome to the San Juan Skyway
Wilson (Stone Block) Building
Years of Activity
Years of Change
Yucca House National Monument
With the arrival of Spanish explorers in the late 16th century, the region became part of the Spanish Empire, and later, part of Mexico. The Spanish influence remained strong, as evidenced by the numerous Spanish place names that still exist in the area. However, the territory eventually became part of the United States following the Mexican-American War in the mid-19th century.
The area experienced a significant boom in the late 19th century with the discovery of various natural resources, such as gold, silver, and coal. This led to an influx of settlers and the establishment of mining towns, such as Rico, which became important economic centers in the region. Additionally, Montezuma County played a crucial role in the development of the railroad, providing transportation for both people and goods.
In more recent history, Montezuma County has focused on preserving its cultural heritage and natural treasures. Mesa Verde National Park, established in 1906, has become a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts visitors from around the world. The county has also seen growth in tourism and agriculture, with the production of crops like apples, barley, and livestock becoming significant industries. With its diverse history and beautiful landscapes, Montezuma County continues to be a unique and vibrant part of Colorado.
Brief timeline of the history of Montezuma County, Colorado:
- 1883 - Montezuma County is established as one of the original 17 counties of Colorado.
- 1886 - A narrow gauge railroad, known as the Dolores Branch, is completed in the county, providing transportation for mining and agricultural products.
- 1890 - The population of Montezuma County reaches over 6,000, mainly due to increased mining activity.
- 1906 - The construction of the McElmo Flume begins, a wooden flume used to transport irrigation water to farmland in the county.
- 1911 - The Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores is established as a museum and research center for the culture of the ancient Anasazi people.
- 1917 - Montezuma County experiences a boom in oil and gas production, contributing to its economic growth.
- 1923 - Mesa Verde National Park is established, protecting and preserving the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans.
- 1958 - Construction of the Dolores Project, a large-scale irrigation and dam system, begins to help provide water resources for agricultural development in the county.
- 1979 - The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is established, protecting an extensive collection of archaeological sites.
- 1992 - The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe opens the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, offering visitors guided tours of ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites.
- 2000 - The population of Montezuma County is estimated to be around 24,000 people.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Montezuma County, Colorado.