We took a road trip to Colorado and after staying at the historic and haunted St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico, and visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, our next stop was the historic Beaumont Hotel In Ouray.

History of the Beaumont Hotel

The Mining Boom Era (1886): Built in 1886 at the height of the San Juan gold and silver boom when Ouray was hailed as the “Gem of the Rockies.” Constructed for an astronomical $75,000 by local investors, it was designed as an uncompromising luxury oasis in a rugged, isolated mining box canyon.

Architectural Grandeur: Featuring a blend of French Chateau and Victorian slate-roof architecture, the hotel’s centerpiece is its three-story timber atrium topped by a cathedral skylight and anchored by a grand double staircase.

The Roster of Dignitaries: Hosted American presidents (Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover), European royalty (King Leopold of Belgium), legendary performers (actress Sarah Bernhardt), and industrial tycoons. Roosevelt famously called Ouray the “Switzerland of America” during his visit.

Decline & Miraculous Restoration: The Beaumont Hotel stood abandoned and boarded up for nearly thirty years in the late 20th century, narrowly escaping demolition. Purchased in 1998, it underwent a meticulous multi-million-dollar, historical-register restoration—preserving original woodwork, Victorian wallpaper patterns, and period brass details.

Breakfast at The Yankee Girl Cafe & The Storm Power Outage

We looked around for a breakfast spot and chose the highly rated The Yankee Girl Cafe and it was quite a treat.

The Descent: The headframe of the Yankee Girl Mine—standing just off the Million Dollar Highway on Red Mountain Pass—is one of the most famous, photographed, and intact 19th-century mining structures in the San Juan Mountains (we did not stop to see it but perfect for another trip). The entrance into The Yankee Girl Cafe—named after the legendary Red Mountain mining headframe—spirals downward with a curved atrium staircase .

Mining Atmosphere: Surrounded by historic photos of 19th-century miners, the dining room is simple but appropriate with pickaxes on the walls and a warm chandelier glow.

The Power Outage: Right before breakfast was served, a sudden mountain storm takes down Ouray’s power grid. The restaurant dropped into soft twilight while people turned on their phone flashlights to see. We calmly waited it out and about 15 minutes later, the lights popped back on. The staff did a great job of informing us in the meantime. At least they kept the coffee coming to keep us warm.

As we departed, we wished we had more time in Ouray. It is a beautiful city and we shall return some day.

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