The Ouray County Court House has an interesting history. First, the bricks used to build the building in 1888 were from Francis Carney’s brickyard where the pool is now. Before there was a building, they rented a space. First, they used the upstairs of Benton’s hall. There were several other spaces they rented as well. The Courthouse is used to settle disputes. In the Courtroom, the judge holds court and decides if a person is guilty or innocent.  Second, the Ouray County treasures keep track of money. Money is collected from taxes to pay for schools, roads, bridges, the nursing clinics, and county employees. The Ouray Clerk & Recorder keeps track of records like marriages, births, and mine claims, and more. One famous person in the jail records was Jack Dempsey.  He was a world famous boxer.  His biggest fight was in 1920. He was in jail because he got drunk and beat someone up while he was in Ouray. Fourth, the first jail burned down when Joe Dixon killed Ellar Day at the 2 month old Beaumont Hotel. When the doctors came, Eller’s dad had a big cut on his head from Joe hitting him on the head with his gun. Eller’s cuts were fatal she died soon after. Joe went to jail and the people of Ouray got very angry at him partly because he was a black man.  So, they burned the jail down! Another wooden jail was built that burned in a similar way, and then they put in a stronger jail. (It was the last)The last jail was used from 1888-1974. They closed the jail in1974 because it was not up to standards. Now the criminals get sent to the Montrose jail.  The Court House is a unique and a fine building.