Silverton A Quick History Author:Duane A. Smith Duane Smith, well-known Colorado historian, covers an amazing amount of history for such a "quick" history. He begins with the Spanish, then talks of the Colorado gold rush, the San Juan rush and the formation of the town. He discusses the importance of the railroad, the ties to Durango and reviews what it was like to live in this rough a... more »nd tough mining town. He devotes whole chapters to baseball at 9,000 feet, the deadly influenza epidemic, and Silverton during World War II. There are several chapters describing mining life in one of the richest areas of Colorado. As Duane puts it, "Savor and learn, for the past has much to tell us."« less