San Juan County Historical Society and Museum
1557 Greene
Silverton, 5
(970) 387-5609
Located 3.6 miles from Molas Lake Park and Campground
Silverton’s Historical Society Museum
Silverton’s Historical Society Museum is in the old San Juan County jail. It was built in 1902 and was the first structure on Court House Square. In
1965 the jail was opened as a museum, and on Memorial Day in 1995, with Silverton’s community Brass Band playing and two inches of fresh snow on the ground, the museum celebrated its 30th anniversary. Today the jail is no longer home to prisoners, but to items and collections donated to the Society by generous people. The exhibits include a collection of Otto Mears Silver Railroad Passes, an extensive local mineral collection, early day mining and surveying equipment, a Derringer handgun collection, old-time switchboard, early day school room, and a fully equipped turn-of-the-century kitchen. And upstairs, are the original jail cells, complete with ball and chain. Bring your camera!
