Prior to its construction, medical facilities in Telluride were located in houses and commercial buildings throughout town.  Realizing the medical needs of a growing community, Dr. Hall built the hospital in 1896.  In those days, it was known as Hall's Hospital but had many other names over the years including Hadley's, after a doctor who operated the facility, and finally, the American Legion Community Hospital.

Dangerous working conditions in the nearby mines kept hospital staff busy.  Doctors often had to travel to the mines to treat accident victims before they could be transported to the hospital, conveniently located at the bottom of Tomboy Road which connected town with some of the most prosperous mines in Colorado.  The hospital also played a key role during public health crises, such as the influenza epidemic of 1918.

Women from the mining camps of Tomboy, Smuggler, and Alta as well as towns in the outlying areas of the country, came to Telluride to await the arrival of their babies.  The first child born in the hospital was Harriet Backus in 1906 to Harriet Fish Backus, who recounted her experiences living at the Tomboy Mine in her book, Tomboy Bride.

The hospital gained national notoriety when it was reported that a local doctor successfully removed his own appendix on July 26, 1949.  Despite the early health needs of the growing community, the hospital closed its doors in 1964 as mining waned and Telluride's population dwindled.  The building became a museum in 1966.  The building has been restored to its original appearance using funds raised by the Town through a special assessment combined with grants from the State Historical Fund and other sources.

The building maintains its extraordinary architectural legacy and intact floor plan showcasing the historic functions of the Old Miner's Hospital such as the operating room and nurses stations.  Other rooms contain exhibits on the importance of healthcare to early settlers who faced disease, fire, floods and avalanches and to the miners who faced cave-ins and mining accidents.  

The Telluride Historical Museum, in partnership with the Wilkinson Public Library, the Town of Telluride and Telluride Community Television proudly offer Telluride Afoot, a series of audio walking tours of the Town of Telluride.  This series of five tours examines properties throughout Telluride, including the historic hospital, as a means to educate and immerse visitors in the rich architectural and cultural history of the town.  

In addition, the Telluride Historical Museum collaborates with the Town of Mountain Village by hosting the "Fireside Chats," a six-lecture summer series in the core of the Mountain Village relating to the town's and the region's history.  

The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 5 pm during the summer and winter.  During the summer, the museum is also open on Sunday from 1 pm - 5 pm.  On Thursday nights, the museum stays open until 7:00.  The building is fully ADA accessible.   

Tours are available on at www.telluridemuseum.org as well as cell phone tours, MP3 downloadable tours, or on mini-disk players for pick-up in town.

Fun Facts  
In 1949, Dr. Balderston made national headlines when he successfully removed his own appendix at the Old Miner's Hospital.  

The town was originally called Columbia when it was first settled as a rowdy mining camp in the mid 1870s.  In 1887 the name changed by order of the Post Office to Telluride to avoid confusion with Columbia, California.  

Tellurium is a rare element related to sulphur, usually combined with metals such as gold and silver.  Oddly enough, the element was never actually found in the mountains of Telluride. 

An alternate theory for the naming of Telluride is that it is a contraction of "to-hell-you-ride."  

By 1909 the Telluride district had produced more than $60 million in precious metals.

In June 1889, Butch Cassidy and his gang The Wild Bunch robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride. This was his first major recorded crime. He exited the bank with $24,580.

Other Places to Visit While There 
Ah Haa School for the Arts in the Telluride Depot
Sheridan Opera House
Tomboy Ghost Town
Alta Lakes & Ghost Town
Bridal Veil Falls

Events

Best Times to Visit
August 7th, Fireside Chat: "Bulkeley Wells - Telluride Glamour" with Rudy Davison at 4:00pm  

August 9, Hike into History - Tomboy Trail with Rudy Davison from 5:30 - 6:30pm

August 21, Fireside Chat: "Native American Sign Language" with CJ Brafford and O. Roland McCook - 5:30 - 6:30pm  

Byways
San Juan Skyway (also one of America's Byways)
Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway