P. David Smith Bücher

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.

Step back in time and see how prospectors, miners, merchants, investors, and families settled the mining towns in the gold and silver-rich San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton are well portrayed, as well as many of the smaller towns that are now just crumbling piles of stone and lumber. P. David Smith has also added lengthy captions that explain and point out the particulars of each photograph. This book will really give you an idea of the way it was over 100 years ago in the San Juan Mountains. Featuring more than 250 rare and historical photographs from the private collection of Ruth and Marvin Gregory, this book allows readers to venture into the mines, ride the railroads, and share the catastrophes and celebrations of yesterday s West. Including well-researched and illuminating narratives, Images of the San Juans Revised, is the true life story of an awe-inspiring area, its inhabitants, and an ever-enduring pioneer spirit.

I Never Knew That About Ouray is a quick, interesting read for the person who just wants to know a little bit about the history of Ouray, Colorado, and Ouray County, Colorado, and especially some of the most interesting events, exciting people, and local places. Also included are how the people got around in these rugged mountains, how prospectors looked for gold and what they did when they found it, stories of some of the local ghosts and much more.

Many Western history enthusiasts believe that Ouray was the greatest of all Indian chiefs. Unlike his contemporaries, he is remembered for his negotiating and peacekeeping skills rather than for any historic deed on the battlefield. Most who knew Ouray considered him to be a very extraordinary Indian--a man of keen perceptions and a talented diplomat. But probably no other Indian chief was as enigmatic. Although most of his tribe were prepared to die for him, his own brother-in-law tried to kill him. He was chief of the Ute Nation, but he was neither a full-blooded Ute nor a chief elected by his own people--he was half Apache and was appointed chief by the U.S. government. In spite of high praises given him by various luminaries of his day, many insisted that Ouray was ordinary, at best. He was a tough and tenacious negotiator for his people, but he was also a friend of the whites and realized that if the Utes did not submit they would be destroyed. This book explores Ouray's life and his people but makes no judgments. It lets the reader decide what historic status to accord this famous chief.

Exploring the Historic San Juan Triangle is the revised, expanded, and updated version of Mountain Mysteries, t the number one guide to the magnificent San Juan Mountains. New chapters on Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City, as well as details on many existing and long-abandoned small communities, have been added. Whether it's hiking, jeeping, auto touring or just armchair reading, David Smith takes the reader on a grand tour of the resplendent San Juans. Filled with rare photographs, specially drawn maps, new trips, updated road tours, and scores of new information, Exploring the San Juan Triangle is truly The Number One Jeeping Guide of the San Juan Mountains!!

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. --Amazon.com