Dolores County

US States / A-G / Colorado / Dolores County
Dolores

Dolores County is named for the Dolores River, which was named by the Spanish as “Rio de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores” which means “River of our lady of       Sorrows”.

 

Surrounding County Courthouses: 

N –San Miguel County

E – San Juan County

S – Montezuma County

W – San Juan County, Utah

 

Created:  February 19, 1881                  Map of Colorado highlighting Dolores County

County Seat:

Rico              1881 – 1945

Dove Creek  1945 – present

 

County Courthouse – Dove Creek

 

Location:  409 North Main Street /  East 4th Street

Built:  1952 – 1953

Style:  Modern

Architect:  C Francis Pillsbury

Contractor:  Burl F Crone and J Clarence Ritchey

 

Description: The building faces west and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Dove Creek. The entrance in the center is glass with glass panel on the second story above. The south section is two stories with large windows and the north section is two stories and rises higher. The roof line is flat with projecting eaves. The building houses the District Court and County Court of the 22nd Judicial District. 

 

Old County Courthouse - Rico                  

 

Location:  2 North Commercial Street / Martz Street

Built:  1891 – 1892

Style:  Victorian

Architect:  John James Huddart

Contractor:  Charles H Carpenter

 

Description: The building faces west and is a two story brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Rico. The west front has a projecting central tower with arched entrance on the first story. The building has a raised basement. The roof is hipped with dormers and two peaks with north and south gable ends. The building now serves as the City Hall and Public Library.

 

Old County Courthouse – Dove Creek     

 

Location:  101 Main Street / Highway 491

Built:  1912

Style:  Residence

Architect:  Unknown

Contractor:  Unknown

 

Description: The building faces east and is a two story wood frame structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds on the south side of the center of Dove Creek. The east front has a two story porch. The metal roof is hipped with attic and two dormer windows. The house was converted in 1945 into the courthouse and served until 1952.

 

See:   The 22nd Judicial District includes Montezuma County.

 

History:  The county was created in 1881 and Rico was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1891. The county seat was moved to Dove Creek in 1945. The second courthouse was a converted two story wood frame house built in 1912 located at 101 Main Street. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1952 to 1953.

 

 

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County Courthouse – Dove Creek

 

 

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Photos taken 2011