Denver. Fort Collins. Grand Junction. You have heard of these Colorado towns, but have you ever wondered how they got their names? (For the record, the aforementioned 3 towns were named after General James Denver, the old Camp Collins military outpost, and its location along the confluence of the Colorado, Gunnison, and Grand Rivers.) Today, we are going to do a deep dive into another charming, small town known as Montrose, Colorado. The fact that it was named after a book already makes it charming!

Welcome to the Western Slope town of Montrose! So, what is Montrose, Colorado known for? Well, we're about to find out!
Wikimedia Commons/Visitmontrose
Incorporated in 1882, the Colorado town of Montrose got its start as a humble railroad town, serving as a hub and, soon after, an important regional shipping center for the Denver & Rio Grande railroad.
Flickr/Chuckcars
While no longer a vital railroad hub, Montrose is still an excellent place to live and work, thanks to its many outdoor recreational manufacturing plants and businesses.
Flickr/Chuckcars
Now for the million-dollar question: How did Montrose get its distinctive name? It was named after Sir Walter Scott's novel "A Legend of Montrose," which tells the tale of Scotland's Wars of the Three Kingdoms (c. the 1640s).
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Random? Kind of. Epic? You bet!
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In addition to serving as a hub for outdoor recreational supplies, Montrose is located near some of the state's most jaw-dropping places a la the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, San Juan Mountains, and the Uncompahgre River (pictured).
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If you're not already a member, be sure to subscribe to AllTrails+ to learn every helpful detail imaginable about the trails in Montrose (and all throughout the rest of the country!).
With nearby attractions like these, need we mention that there are also ample outdoor recreational opportunities at your fingertips?
Visit Montrose Facebook
To learn more about Montrose, one of the most charming small towns in Colorado, and one that was named after a book, please visit the City of Montrose Office of Business and Tourism's website.
Visit Montrose Facebook

Montrose is one of the most charming small towns in Colorado with an interesting name origin. For the meaning behind even more Colorado towns, check out Most People Don’t Know The Meaning Behind These 15 Colorado Towns.

Want to discover more amazing places in Colorado? Check out this video from OnlyInYourState and don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel!:

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Small Town In Colorado

Christy Articola | March 04, 2023

Montrose sounds great! What are some things to do in that area that I can experience when I visit?

Montrose is full of fun things to do and it's a great part of our amazing state. Here's a sampling of some of the options to consider when visiting this charming town in Colorado.

  • The Museum of the Mountain West is full of history and art inspired by this area.
  • The Ute Indian Museum will give you the opportunity to learn a bit about the indigenous people of this area.
  • The Montrose County Historical Museum will teach you even more about local history.
  • The Montrose Botanical Gardens is a great place to get up close and personal with some of the plants native to this part of the state.
  • The Star Drive-In Theater is one of the few operational drive-in theaters in the state. It's a great place to catch a film on a summer evening.

 

Where should I eat while I'm in town?

Montrose is small but it has a lot of great restaurants! Here are a few to consider:

 

What other towns are nearby that are worth visiting?

There are so many charming Colorado towns in this part of the state. After you're done in Montrose, you might consider visiting:

 

No matter what you choose to do, you'll love Montrose and the surrounding areas. This is one of the best parts of Colorado!

 

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Montrose, CO, USA