Town History

History of Minturn

Just two miles south of I-70, and only 10 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek, Minturn, Colorado is the historical gem of the Vail Valley area. A funky old railroad town developed in the late 1800s, Minturn's quaint shops and old Colorado architecture offer a peek at the past while the town bustles with contemporary business activity and attractions.

Minturn was developed primarily as a railroad town in the late 1800s. The Denver & Rio Grande railroad line extended across the state of Colorado and Minturn was an important railroad division point. Railroad workers from around the country settled in Minturn, where they installed extra engines in railroad cars for more power over steep mountain passes.

Unlike their neighbors at Vail and Beaver Creek, Minturn’s oldest families settled at the confluence of Gore Creek and the Eagle River in the late 1800s. Some created homesteads and farmed the land, while others worked the mines in the mountains high above town.  Mining in Minturn was for gold, silver, lead and zinc. 

With the arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in 1887, Minturn quickly developed into a booming crossroads for transportation and industry. By the turn of the century, a growing population of mining and railroad workers and their families raised the demands for business and services in town. In response, Minturn was incorporated on November 15, 1904.

The Town of Minturn was incorporated in 1904, making it one of the oldest towns in Eagle County. During Colorado's mining boom, it was an essential crossroads for the mountain railroad system. Over the decades, Minturn has gradually transformed into a tourist-based economy. One of the most popular events in the community is the Minturn Farmer's Market, which runs weekly during the summer. The Minturn Market annually hosts more than 5,000 visitors.

Minturn has adapted to several major changes in the local economy over the decades, including the development of Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts, the closing of the Gilman mine, and the abandonment of rail lines through Minturn. Despite this transformation from the Old West to the new, Minturn maintains its distinctive character, architecture and quality of life. Today, it retains its reputation as one of the friendliest towns in the Rocky Mountains.

Minturn, A Memoir - by Bill Burnett  

Life-long resident and historian Bill Burnett (now deceased) spent 10 years writing this history of Minturn. His memoir offers anecdotes about the buildings, people, and industries that shaped this mountain town.

“Minturn, A Memoir” takes a personal and charming look back at our community, the homes in our community, the people in our community and the way that Minturn has changed over the years.

The production of this 153-page book was made possible through the generous financial contributions of anonymous citizens, the Eagle County Commissioners, the Eagle County Historical Society, the Eagle Valley Library District, the family of Bill Burnett, the Friends of the Eagle County Library, Carol McManus and the Town of Minturn.

Books are currently available for sale at local retailers Gemini Gardens and The Uptown Store, and can also be purchased online from the Eagle County Historical Society https://eaglecountyhistoricalsociety.com/product/minturn-a-memoir/.  

For more information, call the Town of Minturn at (970) 827-5645 or email events@minturn.org.