BEAUMONT HOTEL HISTORY
Ouray, Circa 1887. Building began in 1886, and the Beaumont was completed in 1887. The grand opening was held that July. Notice flagpole at the north end of town in center of Main Street. Some historical references say it was gone a year later.
Ouray, circa 1887		 Ouray, late 1800s. Western Union office in the lobby of the Beaumont.
Western Union office, late 1800s		 Ouray, Circa 1889. Ouray and the 'new' Beaumont Hotel. Saddle horse tied up at the rail in front of the hotel and horse-drawn buggies on the street help date the photo.
The 'new' Beaumont, circa 1889		 Ouray, Circa 1889. Stagecoach passing the Beaumont. Notice the little lady bundled between the drivers on the front seat. Visible on the hotel corner sign reads 'Thatcher's Brothers.' Must be warm weather, since some of the windows on the 3rd floor are open. Telegraph and telephone lines connect to pole on the corner.
Beaumont circa 1889
Atrium dining area, late 1800s. Informal dining in the atrium area, accessed from the ground floor by ascending the grand staircase (or others) from lobby below.
Atrium dining area, late 1800s		 Ouray, South-facing dining room, late 1800s. Now called 'Grand Ballroom' this lovely room is two-stories high with a 'minstral's balcony' opening from the atrium on the third floor.
Dining room, late 1800s		 Unescorted ladies' entrance, late 1800s.Unescorted ladies had their own entrance on the south side of the building. Access was for both 'working girls' (stairway just inside led to rooms above) and respectable ladies unaccompanied by a male escort.
Unescorted ladies' entrance.		 Guestroom, 1934. Notice the 'pineapple' lamp with floral fluted shade and, on the right of the lounge chair in the 'sitting area,' a rather prominent and 3-corner 'potty' chair. Floral carpets and wall coverings and curtain rather than door to separate sleeping and sitting areas are also representative of that era.
Guestroom, 1934
Main dining room, 1934.Main dining room (now Grand Ballroom) features cloth-backed chairs and white table linens. Minstral's gallery (accessible from 3rd floor) visible at back (north side) of room.
Main dining room, 1934		 Beaumont, 1934. The Beaumont appears to have fallen on hard times during the Depression. Although the hotel is still open, the retail space on the SE corner appears to be boarded up.
Beaumont, 1934		 Cowpasture room, 1950s. Electric light fixture with four unshaded bulbs, external electric conduit with round, push-button light switch, and venetian blinds at the window are reminiscent of the 1950s. The original tile and ceramic fireplace is still a functional part of the room.
Cowpasture room, 1950s		 Beaumont, 1963.The Beaumont appears to be thriving with a new sign, cafe in front (where bookstore is now), and melodrama theater at the north corner.
Beaumont, 1963
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Built in 1886 at the height of the “Gold Boom,” this lovely old hotel is still known as the 'Flagship of the San Juans." Graciously appointed with sumptuous amenities, the Beaumont Hotel has welcomed such famous guests as U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover, King Leopold of Belgium, Chipeta, widow of the then-deceased Ute Chief Ouray, French actress Sarah Bernhardt, American actress Angie Dickenson and (most recently) media megastar, Oprah Winfrey. Recent restorations modernized the entire structure to meet the needs and cares of today's traveler while preserving the property's historical grandeur.

 

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