La Plata County
The first La Plata County Courthouse in Howardsville, near the Silverton Northern Railroad tracks. Courtesy, San Juan County Colorado Historical Society
The territorial government realized that increased settlement in the San Juan country, pending approval of the Brunot Agreement, required government support beyond the ability of the sprawling Conejos County. On February 10th, 1874, the territorial legislature created three new counties: Rio Grande, Hinsdale, and La Plata. The newly created La Plata County included today’s San Juan, Montezuma, and Dolores counties. The first county seat was at Howardsville; the first courthouse was a small log cabin.
The first elections were held in newly created La Plata County in July 1874. Voters at Silverton, Howardsville, Eureka, Animas Forks, Hermosa, and Parrott City elected county commissioners, a sheriff, county clerk, treasurer, district attorney, even a coroner. During that election, the county seat was moved from Howardsville to the town of Silverton that was established that same year.