Ridgway, Colorado Weather Cams
Hwy 550 Ridgway
Ridgway, Colorado: Rails, Ranches, and the Town That Refused to Die
Ridgway, Colorado Weather Cams. Cradled in the Uncompahgre Valley at the northern edge of the San Juan Mountains, Ridgway, Colorado, is a town born of railroads, shaped by ranching, and sustained by resilience. Known today as the “Gateway to the San Juans,” Ridgway’s history is a microcosm of the American West—where Indigenous heritage, industrial ambition, and natural beauty converge.
Ute Homelands and Early Exploration
Long before Ridgway appeared on maps, the region was home to the Ute people. For centuries, they hunted elk and deer in the meadows, fished the Uncompahgre River, and traveled the high passes between seasonal camps. The river’s name—Uncompahgre—comes from the Ute word for “hot water spring,” a nod to the geothermal features near present-day Ouray.
Spanish explorers passed through the broader region in the 18th century, but it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that American settlers began to arrive in significant numbers. The 1873 Brunot Agreement opened the San Juan Mountains to mining, triggering a rush of prospectors and entrepreneurs.
The Railroad Era and the Birth of Ridgway
Ridgway was founded in 1890 by Robert M. Ridgway, a superintendent for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The town was strategically located at the junction of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad and the newly constructed Rio Grande Southern Railroad, which Otto Mears built to connect Durango with the mining towns of Telluride, Ouray, and Rico.
Ridgway quickly became a bustling railhead, shipping ore, livestock, and supplies throughout the region. The town’s layout included a depot, roundhouse, and rail yard, and it served as the northern terminus of the Rio Grande Southern. Articles of incorporation were filed in May 1890, and Ridgway was officially incorporated on April 2, 1891.
Just three miles north of the now-defunct town of Dallas, Ridgway supplanted its neighbor as the region’s commercial hub. Its location at the crossroads of two major rail lines earned it the nickname “The Town That Refused to Die.”
Ranching Roots and Community Life
While mining fueled the early economy, ranching became the backbone of Ridgway’s identity. The fertile valley supported hayfields and cattle operations, and the arrival of the railroad allowed ranchers to ship livestock to distant markets. Families like the Hartwells, Ralstons, and Rowans established homesteads that still echo in local place names.
The town developed a strong civic spirit, with schools, churches, and businesses lining its streets. The Ouray County Fairgrounds, established in the early 20th century, became a focal point for community gatherings, rodeos, and the annual Labor Day fair—a tradition that continues today.
Decline of the Rails and a Brush with Oblivion
The prosperity brought by the railroads began to wane in the mid-20th century. The Rio Grande Southern filed for abandonment in 1952, and the Denver & Rio Grande Western ceased operations between Ridgway and Ouray in 1953. The final blow came in 1976, when the line to Montrose was abandoned due to the construction of the Ridgway Dam.
The dam, part of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Dallas Creek Project, was initially slated to flood the town. But in 1975, a revised plan moved the dam downstream, sparing Ridgway from inundation. Locals embraced the outcome with pride, coining the town’s enduring motto: “The Town That Refused to Die.”
Ridgway State Park and Environmental Stewardship
The completion of the Ridgway Dam in 1987 created Ridgway Reservoir and Ridgway State Park, transforming the area into a recreational haven. The park offers boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing, drawing visitors from across the state. Bald eagles nest in the cottonwoods along the river, and elk, deer, and black bears roam the surrounding hills.
The park also plays a vital role in regional water management, storing water for irrigation and municipal use while supporting habitat conservation.
A Star on the Silver Screen
Ridgway’s cinematic charm caught Hollywood’s eye in the late 1960s. The town served as a primary filming location for the 1969 Western classic True Grit, starring John Wayne. The courthouse square was transformed into a frontier town, and locals served as extras. Other films, including How the West Was Won and Tribute to a Bad Man, also featured the area’s dramatic landscapes.
Today, the Ridgway Western Heritage Society offers walking tours that highlight filming locations and celebrate the town’s role in Western film history.
Cultural Renaissance and Creative Energy
In recent decades, Ridgway has reinvented itself as a hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and outdoor enthusiasts. The town’s Creative District, certified by the state of Colorado, supports galleries, studios, and public art installations. Events like the Ridgway Rendezvous Arts & Crafts Festival and the Love Your Valley Festival showcase local talent and foster community pride.
The Ridgway Railroad Museum preserves the town’s railroading legacy with restored cars, exhibits, and rides on a replica Galloping Goose—a quirky railcar used to carry mail and passengers during the Rio Grande Southern’s final years.
Ouray County: The Broader Landscape
Ridgway is the largest town in Ouray County, which was established in 1877 and named for Ute Chief Ouray. The county encompasses some of Colorado’s most spectacular scenery, including Mount Sneffels (14,150 feet), the Cimarron Range, and the Uncompahgre Gorge. The San Juan Skyway, a scenic byway that loops through Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton, and Telluride, offers one of the most breathtaking drives in the American West.
The county’s economy has shifted from mining and ranching to tourism, recreation, and sustainable development. Yet its heritage remains visible in historic buildings, working ranches, and the stories passed down through generations.
A Town with a Future
Today, Ridgway is home to just over 1,100 residents, but its influence far exceeds its size. It’s a place where history is honored, creativity is nurtured, and the mountains are always within reach. Whether you’re sipping coffee in a downtown café, hiking a trail above the valley, or watching the sun set over the Sneffels Range, Ridgway offers a sense of place that’s both timeless and forward-looking.
It may have started as a railhead, but Ridgway has become a destination in its own right—proof that even in the shadow of the San Juans, small towns can cast a long legacy.
For more information, visit the Ridgway, Colorado official website.