DOLORES COUNTY, CO HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
*None Listed
Dolores County, Colorado: A Genealogical Overview
Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, Dolores county presents a unique story of two distinct regions: the rugged San Juan Mountains with a boom-and-bust silver mining past, and the high plains to the west, known as the “Pinto Bean Capital of the World.” Its history is a blend of ancient Puebloan culture, Ute tribal lands, and hardy pioneer settlement.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding the county’s creation during the peak of the silver rush and the later shift of its county seat is fundamental for locating genealogical records.
- 1881: County Formed: Dolores county was established on February 19, 1881, during the height of the Colorado Silver Boom.
- Parent County: It was created from the western portion of Ouray county.
- Name Origin: The county is named for the Dolores River, which flows through it. The river was named Rio de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (River of Our Lady of Sorrows) by Spanish explorers in the 1700s.
- County Seat History: The original county seat was the bustling mining town of Rico. As the mining economy declined and the agricultural economy in the western part of the county grew, the county seat was moved to Dove Creek in 1941, where it remains today.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The area is renowned for its significant Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) archaeological sites, many of which are now protected within the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Later, the region was the homeland and hunting grounds of the Weeminuche band of the Ute people.
- The Mining Boom: American settlement was almost exclusively driven by the discovery of rich silver and lead deposits in the San Juan Mountains in the late 1870s. This led to the rapid growth of Rico, which became the economic and social hub of the region. The Rio Grande Southern Railroad, famous for its “Galloping Goose” railcars, was crucial for hauling ore and supplies.
- Agricultural Development: The collapse of silver prices in 1893 devastated Rico’s economy. In the early 20th century, the western part of the county, known as the Great Sage Plain, was developed for dryland farming. This agricultural economy, focused on pinto beans and other crops, grew steadily, leading to the rise of Dove Creek as the new population center.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Dolores county.
- Courthouse:
- Dolores County Clerk and Recorder: Located at 409 North Main Street, Dove Creek, CO 81324. This office is the primary repository for all official county records, including land records (deeds), marriage licenses, and records from the Rico era. For records prior to February 1881, researchers must consult the records of Ouray County.
- Dolores County Combined Court: Also located at 409 North Main Street, Dove Creek, CO 81324, this court holds probate, civil, and criminal court records.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver holds birth records from 1910 and death records from 1900.
- Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1881 to the present are held by the Dolores County Clerk and Recorder.
- Libraries and Historical Societies:
- Dove Creek Public Library: Located at 408 North Main Street, Dove Creek, CO 81324, it offers local history resources.
- Rico Historical Society: An essential resource for anyone researching ancestors from the mining boom period in Rico.
- Anasazi Heritage Center: Located in the town of Dolores (Montezuma County), this museum is a key institution for understanding the deep history of the entire region.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- La Plata county
- Montezuma county
- San Juan county
- San Miguel county
- San Juan county, UT