Parrott City
In the summer of 1873, John Moss made a separate agreement with Ute leader Ignacio for land in the La Plata Mountains he called the California District. In exchange for horses and other goods, Moss started the town of Parrott City, named for his backers in California, and the search for gold commenced.
Studio portrait of John Moss taken by Erie Photo Co. of Pueblo and reprinted on a cabinet card by Durango photographer Jacob Boston. Catalog number: 89.15.1
As early as 1875, it was apparent that the new county was still way too big to administer. The county seat at Silverton could not adequately serve all the needs of the agricultural population in the Animas, Pine, La Plata, and Mancos Rivers. La Plata County’s representative Rueben McNutt introduced House Bill Number 1 to the state legislature in January 1876. The bill called for splitting the county in half. Effective on May 1, the northern half became San Juan County with Silverton as the county seat. The southern half retained the name La Plata County, with Parrott City as its county seat.
Oliver Holmes and Thomas Raley stand with their burro in front of the La Plata County Courthouse in Parrott City. Catalog number: 89.15.2
Learn more about Parrott City and the Gold Rush to the La Platas.