Birth of a Town
Gunnison began as prime hunting territory for the Ute Indians, who where eventually forced off of the land during the mid-1800's. Gunnison got its name from John W. Gunnison, who first explored the area in 1853 as part of his government assigned quest to recommend the best route for a railroad system across the Rockies.
In 1873, the Brunot Treaty allowed the region to be opened to farmers and cattle ranchers. In 1874 the town of Gunnison was founded at the confluence of the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek, though it was abandoned shortly thereafter. Gunnison became the official seat of Gunnison County on May 22, 1877.
In 1879 professor Sylvester Richardson and Colorado Governor founded the town site of Gunnison and miners struck gold and sliver deposits, beginning Gunnison's mining days. The County courthouse was finished in 1880 and the town quickly became the major hub and transportation center for all mining camps in the surrounding area.
In 1881 both the Denver & Rio Grande and the Denver South Park and Pacific railroads served the growing area. In 1901 Gunnison's Colorado State Normal School was founded, and the name was changed to Western State College in 1915.
