From the Vault
Montezuma
Overview of Montezuma c. 1907
This image shows an overview of Montezuma c. 1907.
Photograph Courtesy of the Summit Historical Society Collections.
Incorporated in September 1881, Montezuma had a population of 743 people in the silver mining town. By 1884 Montezuma was a well-established town in Summit County with over one-hundred buildings. Montezuma served as the town of libation and entertainment for surrounding mining towns, including several restaurants, boarding houses, saloons, and brothels. The town at one point also had a bank, schoolhouse, Catholic Church, Post Office, a newspaper (the Montezuma Mill Run), three general stores, and three hotels.
Main Street Montezuma Between 1879-1883
This image shows Main Street Montezuma between 1879-1883. On the left side of the street is Rocky Mountain House with the balcony still under construction. On the right side of the street from far to near is the Summit House (large two-story building), Town Hall (far right), and Bill Lusher’s first meat market.
Photograph Courtesy of the Summit Historical Society Collections; The Sharp Collection.
Town of Montezuma in June 1913
This image shows the town of Montezuma in June of 1913. The buildings from left to right are residents, Lusher Barn, and Joe Ferraro’s residence, those in the distance are unidentifiable.
Photograph Courtesy of the Summit Historical Society Collections; The Riley Simrall Collection.
When the Silver Market crashed in 1893, the population in Montezuma began to decline; however, unlike its neighboring towns, it did not become a ghost town. Today, the town continues to live on with a population of 65 full-time residents recorded in the 2010 U.S. Census.
Montezuma in 1954 from Saint John Road
This image shows the town of Montezuma in 1954 from Saint John Road. The schoolhouse is at the foot of Collier Mountain. On the right, the long white building is the Summit House, and the Rocky Mountain House is across the street. To the left of the Summit House is Mrs. Black’s home- originally Bill Lusher’s store. The square building to the left is the town well house and the white building to the far left is the John Jeffrey home and post office. The post office was disbanded in August 1972.
Photograph Courtesy of the Summit Historical Society Collections; The Sharp Collection.
Montezuma Road in the Winter of 1975
This image shows a road in Montezuma in the winter of 1975.
Photograph Courtesy of the Summit Historical Society.
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