A new exhibit at the Galloping Goose Historical Society Museum details the short history of the Rio Grande Southern and the man behind the railroad that defied all odds.
Otto Mears built the first toll roads into Ridgway and Telluride, explained the historical societys Lew Matis, who, along with Marie Richmond, researched and worked on the exhibit for two years.
One photo shows one of the toll roads that Mears built between Silverton and Ouray. In it, an old-time vehicle clings to a road near a sheer cliff.
Isnt that photo great? Matis asked.
Mears also is famous for getting Chief Ouray to sign the Brunot Treaty that allowed mining operations to begin in the San Juans, which at the time was land occupied by Utes, Matis explained, pointing to a photograph of Mears and Ouray.
Thats what led to the development of the San Juan Mountains, Matis said.
Mears then founded the Rio Grande Southern in 1889, and the railroad company had a short heyday until 1893 when Congress discussed repealing the silver subsidy.
That caused a severe depression throughout the Western U.S., and immediately everything started to shut down, Matis said.
The Rio Grande Southern had a history of about a year and a half after it was built.
It was intense. They were wearing out the rail, there were so many trains running the lines, Matis said.
But during his research, Matis said, the most amazing thing was the number of workers who built the lines that scaled the San Juans.
There was about 3,000 workers at the peak, and they built it by hand, with shovels, hammers, wheelbarrows and horses.