Well, what about the history of the Coachlight building? It's most likely a fellow named George Wilder who was the builder and began construction in 1887. It opened as a hotel called the Tirol House. Three years later, in 1890, Mr. Wilder sold the Tirol House, along with his adjoining land and sawmill, sample mill and lumberyard to Charles and William Munn for two dollars. You can bet the Wilder must have been Munn’s rich uncle or a relative, as two dollars was too cheap, even then.
In 1899 Fredrick Moscon(e) purchased just the Tirol House from the Munn brothers for $900, and gave it a new name – The Belvedere Hotel. Mr. Moscon(e), reputed to be a mine speculator, signed over this building to his wife Virginia, late that year. It was a lively place with gambling, drinking, and even a bowling alley. But, the special attraction was the passageway from behind the grill in our kitchen to visit the Monte Carlo, a lady’s boarding house. The Belvedere Hotel had thirteen rooms upstairs as well!
Virginia left Ouray and her husband, leaving the building behind. She signed the building over to her sons in 1902. The building was leased for a number of years, but eventually ended up in the hands of Mary Moscon(e). She operated the Belvedere for nearly 50 years. There are some photos of her and her children and grandsons behind our hostess desk. In 1952, Justin and Belinda Fay bought the Belvedere and continued to run it as a boarding house.
Kelly and Carole Nicholson purchased the Belvedere in 1967, as they had opened a new restaurant the previous summer on Main Street. This new restaurant was named the Coachlight, and they moved it to the Belvedere in the spring on 1968 after a year of renovation. Stained glass was added to the interior, which had been retrieved from a razed Presbyterian church in Montrose.
In 1970, The Coachlight sold to Pete Danieli, a native of Italy who had been living in Aspen. Three year later, he sold it to Buddy and Rosie Griffin. The front of the building was moved out and faced with bricks halfway up with a Tudor look.
Four years later, on May 13, 1977, the Griffins sold The Coachlight to Telluride native Butch Bowers and his wife Candy. They owned and operated the restaurant for almost 20 years when they finally closed it.
A few years later, The Coachlight was sold to Michael and Darcy Sella in February 2000. They are the present owners and have done some extensive interior and exterior redecorating to bring a more rustic atmosphere to the restaurant. They have also remodeled the upstairs residence into a Tavern for the guests who arrive early or would like to stay for an after-dinner cocktail. The Tavern has both indoor and outdoor seating, and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. In addition to all the remodeling, The Coachlight now offers catering for both indoor and outdoor weddings and parties. We have a beautiful garden area on the side of the restaurant that can also be rented for your next outdoor occasion. We hope you enjoy your dinner with us and please come back and see us again. We plan on being here a while!

Thank you!