A living history chronicling the voices and concerns of the everyday folks who experienced the mining boom and bust of Colorado's infamous Red Mountain District (Ouray).
Over 100 period photos and engravings, as well as maps, an index, and bibliography.

Mountains of Silver: The Story of Colorado's Red Mountain Mining District (The Pruett Series)

History

P. David Smith

Americas

WestWinds Press

First edition book. This book tells the history of the San Juan Triangle, the area roughly bounded by Ouray, Telluride, and Silverton, is an excellent crash course in the history of settlement and mining in the region. The first chapters of the book describe the histories of the main towns in the region: Silverton, Lake City, Ouray, and Telluride. After the histories of individual towns, there is a series of chapters that give a fairly exhaustive explanation of mines and ghost towns that existed along Jeep routes in the area. Excellent book for the 4x4 backroaders!!

Exploring the Historic San Juan Triangle

Wayfinder Press

Mountain Mysteries

Travel

Marvin Gregory

Travel Writing

Wayfinder Pr

A fascinating account of Colorado's most famous and controversial Indian chief. A man of keen perceptions and a talented diplomat, a negotiator and a peacekeeper, many believe Ouray was the greatest of all chiefs.

Ouray: Chief of the Utes

The Million Dollar Highway Colorado's Most Spectacular Seventy Miles

The Million Dollar Highway runs north and south directly through the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado some of the most beautiful and rugged country in all of North America. And because of that imposing ruggedness, this spectacular road would probably not exist today if it were not for a treasure chest of minerals found by early-day prospectors and a related need to find a way to transport millions in silver and gold economically from remote mines and camps. However, The Road that Silver Built is not just the story of an amazing highway. It is also a history of the area and the development of mining and transportation of all types throughout the rugged San Juans. Stunning beauty along the route is pointed out, the area s complex geology is explained, and tales of the towns of Durango, Silverton, and Ouray are related. The history of four narrow gauge railroads that ran nearby is recounted; and early San Juan toll roads, many now exciting four-wheel drive adventures, are featured. Author P. David Smith also tells tales of lost gold mines, treasure caves, ghost towns, and more, making travel along The Million Dollar Highway (U. S. 550 from Durango to Ouray) enjoyable, educational, and memorable for a lifetime.

The Road that Silver Built

Western Reflections Publishing Company

Dating back to the Spanish exploration of the New World, the burro has been a special part of the land that is now called Colorado. And, despite abuse, ridicule, torture, and inhumane working environments, this little animal has maintained a dignity, trustworthiness, and unconditional affection that is legendary. There is a lot that we can learn from the burro, but we need to know its story before we can understand the amazing spirit and laudable characteristics of this humble creature. To tell the story of the Colorado burro properly, On the Backs of Burros includes accounts about early Spanish settlers, Colorado prospectors, pack-train operators, and present-day pack-burro employment, while detailing a history that starts with the burro s origin in Africa and ends with a look into its tenuous future. It is the hope of the authors, that with the help of this book these forgotten symbols of the Old West will continue to bless Colorado with their unique and civilizing influence. A portion of this book s proceeds will be given to Colorado s Long Hopes, a donkey rescue mission.

On the Backs of Burros - Bringing Civilization to Colorado (First)

Lyn Bezek

Concentrating on unique events, people whose stories have never fully been told, and a few "new" facts, The San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado - Calderas, Mastodons, Conquistadors, and Gold provides a wealth of information, starting with the true boundaries of Colorado's San Juans. Through extensive research, P. David Smith destroys many long standing theories about this mysterious range, showing that Paleo hunters lived in the San Juans year round and the Spanish prospected almost continuously in the area but had little luck smelting the gold and silver ores. Smith shows how the Utes went from one of the poorest Native American tribes to one of the richest and points out that the Pueblo Indians (Anasazi) were the first of the historic tribes in Colorado and the San Juans. He also notes that Coronado or his men may well have been in the San Juans, rightfully looking for "Cibolla" amidst what has proven to be extremely mineral-rich terrain. Detailing the beginnings of the historically rich San Juans of Colorado, this work is one that both historians and history-lovers have awaited. It is true history that may be stranger than fiction. But it may also be true history that will enlighten those who visit and live in this unique part of the world.

The San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado - Calderas, Mastodons, Conquistadors & Gold

Western Reflections Publishing Co.

P. David Smith has been interested in eastern San Juan and Lake City history for years, but realized that it was an area of Colorado history that is often overlooked in favor of western San Juan history. He found Lake City's and Hinsdale County's histories to be fascinating, although very different from some San Juan mining boom towns like Silverton, Telluride, and Ouray. Hinsdale's mines were originally described as the best in the area; but the town has gone through many boom and bust cycles, making it at times the largest and at other times the smallest of the San Juan mining towns; but it never became a ghost town, as its people never gave up. Slowly it evolved into the San Juan's first tourist town with its main attraction being Lake San Cristobal. This has formed a very unique community with special values and special people. P. David Smith will take the reader on a trip through time that will make a very interesting read and perhaps even change the way the reader approaches some aspects of life.

The Story of Lake City, Colorado and Its Surrounding Areas: Including the Tale of Alferd Packer--The Colorado Cannibal

Lafayette Head, a simple Missouri boy, was one of Colorado's first Anglo residents. He fought in the Mexican-American War in 1846 and decided to stay in New Mexico Territory; but soon he moved to the future Colorado. He fought in the Taos Revolt of 1848 and in the Ute Indian War of 1855. He was involved with the Mexidan Conejos Land Grant of over two million acres, started the first church in Colorado, dug the second earliest irrigation ditch, built the second flour mill in the state and was a U.S. Marshall for three years. "Lafe" as he was known to his friends, served as a Tabeguache Indian Agent for nine years, as well as an Agent for the Jicarilla Apache. He made three trips to Washington with these Native Americans to meet with various Presidents and served as a Ute interpreter, as he spoke fluent Spanish and Ute, as well as educated English. His close friends included Kit Carson, Cerran St. Vrain, "Uncle" Dick Wooton, Albert Pfieffer, William Becknell and several early Colorado Governors. He served for several years each in the New Mexico and Colorado Territorial legislatures and the Constituional Convention of Colorado. He was elected the first Lt. Governor of the State of Colorado. He wrote several sections of the Colorado State Constitution and had one of the largest and most successful ranches, farms, and flour mills in the San Luis Valley. Cynthia Becker and P. David Smith co-authored the award winning book Chipeta, Queen of the Utes and both authored additional books on Ute history. Lafayette Head was started by Cynthis Becker to give another side of their story, but Cynthia died after writing about half of this book. P. David Smith was glad to take on the project and finish the book. Lafayette was not only the Indian for the Tabaguache Utes for nine years during perhaps the most critical time in their history; bu, although an Anglo, he was also the primary leader of the Mexican-American community in the San Luis Valley for almost forty years. Smith and Becker have therefore added new information they have discovered on the Utes since writing their previous books and added a new twist by showing the complicated relationship between the Mexican-American farmers and ranchers moving into the San Luis Valley (the Utes favorite hunting area), the severelly mistreated Ute Indians, and U.S. and Colorado government officials, who badly ignored both. So why have most Coloradoans never heard of Lafayette Head? It was because he was a very humble man who chose the Mexican-Americans of "Southern Colorado" as his people, respected them, and treated them well; and also chose to be a farmer and rancher instead of being a wealthy mine owner.

The Life & Times of Lafayette Head: Early Pioneer of Southwest Colorado

Biographies & Memoirs

Cynthia S. Becker

Historical

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Books by P. David Smith