National and State Register

Lake City Historic District

Hinsdale County

Established in 1875 as a supply center for the heavy mining activity in the area, people found their way to Lake City via the Saguache-San Juan Toll Road built by Enos Hotchkiss, one of the town founders.

A black and white photo of the Lake City Historic District

Lake City Historic District

A major fire in 1879 destroyed much of the downtown area.  Many of the rebuilt buildings of brick and stone remain intact.  An economic depression hit Lake City in 1884, and times were hard until the arrival of the railroad in 1889.  Subsequently, trade flourished until the silver crash of 1893.  Listed under Hinsdale County Metal Mining and Mining Industry in Colorado Multiple Property Submissions.