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More on Silverton's Step Back event, contact the Silverton Chamber and Visitor Center • silvertoncolorado.com 800-752-4494 toll-free • 970-387-5654 local |
All content © San Juan Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. FOR TINY SILVERTON every day is a step back in time. From the melodic whistle of the first train to steam into town until the echoing whistle as the last train departs, Silverton is an adventure in Victorian memories. It’s a welcome anachronism in a high-tech society, a cool respite in a hot and hurried world.  The train runs May - October, peaking at four trains a day mid summer, then tapering back to one train at the end of the season. But the train is only a small part of Silverton’s celebration of it’s colorful past.
All summer long you’ll see local folks and visitors dressed in period costume. The talented Silverton Brass band, equally decked out in vintage garb may greet the train as it arrives, or march through the streets of town. An occasional horse rides into an occasional saloon, and the Silverton Gunfighters take a pop at one another down by the tracks. The tinny tinkle of honky-tonk piano wafts from restaurants on uptown Greene Street and it’s notorious neighbors a block back on Blair. In the fall, at the Bordello Ball, “shady ladies” dance with miners and cowboys and the whir of the roulette wheel and slap of cards on felt can be heard from various establishments. (Proceeds of gambling to benefit the local schools.) Vintage automobiles share the road with a stagecoach and chromed-up Harleys (the town is a favorite with the motorcycle set). In the mountains, erstwhile prospectors pan for gold while avid ATVers and more sedate jeepers tour the mountain roads, photographing the spectacular scenery and multitudinous remnants of the old mining days. July Fourth is the biggest event of the year, as it was over a century ago when the mines were booming. Folks come from miles around to watch the parade, enjoy special events like the Rhubarb Festival and Ice Cream Social (related story) and watch the spectacular and renown fireworks at dusk. History buffs enjoy tours of the Old Hundred Mine, the world-class mining museum and Mayflower Mill. Silverton is truly a step back in time, all the time, and well worth a visit to experience a taste of the past. Photos Claudia Moe and Mike Luther greet the train. Fran Schilt photo. |
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| The Silverton Magazine. Copyright 2000-2010 Published by San Juan Publishing Group, Inc., Colorado No part of this publication may be reproduced in any means whatsoever without written authorization from SJPG. (Plagerizers will be hung from the yardarm and fed to the mountain sharks! - we've already got one tied up and hanging head-down over the brine. Sharks are waiting, chum...) Queries for re-print rights, email editor@sanjuanpub.com |