Museum of the Mountain West

Southwest Colorado


On display are a staggering number of pieces from the 1880s to the 1930s. There’s a re-created Old West town replete with storefronts, a saloon, drugstore and doctor’s surgery. The original Diehl Carriage Works building is where 1919–26 world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey trained.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Southwest Colorado attractions

1. Bryant Building

3.39 MILES

The Bryant Building was erected in 1890. To its west and east are the 1908 SH Nye Building and the 1906 Thomas Hotel – all handsome brick edifices of the…

2. Lott's Hotel

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The Lott's Hotel building has been standing here since 1883. It's the oldest grand building in Montrose.

3. Montrose County Historical Museum

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Installed in the old Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot, this interesting museum has a vast collection of pioneer-era furniture and memorabilia. There…

4. Ute Indian Museum

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One of the few American museums dedicated to one tribe. The Ute are the traditional people of western Colorado. The museum is situated on a homestead that…

6. Cimarron Railroad Exhibit

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A restored old steam locomotive, boxcar and caboose sit on a narrow-gauge bridge crossing the Cimarron River, the last piece of railroad infrastructure…

7. Fort Uncompahgre

22.92 MILES

Delta’s history as a fur-trading center and frontier outpost comes alive with a self-guided tour behind the rough timber walls of this 1828 fort. Allow…

8. Ridgway Railroad Museum

23.47 MILES

Ridgway was the birthplace of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, a narrow-gauge rail line that connected to Durango with the ‘Galloping Goose,’ a kind of…