Free walking tours - see True grit tours page
Mission of the Ridgway Western Heritage Society
The Ridgway Western Heritage Society celebrates Ridgway, Colorado's film, ranching and railroad heritage, and Western arts & culture. The Society's primary goal is to provide education about Ridgway's film history, with emphasis on the True Grit walking tour.
HISTORY
The Ridgway Western Heritage Society put on several Ridgway Old West Fests. The festivals celebrated Ridgway, Colorado's brief transformation into Fort Smith, Arkansas, for the filming of True Grit. The first Ridgway Old West Fest was in 2019. It marked the 50th anniversary of the release of True Grit, for which John Wayne won his only Academy Award. The famous director Henry Hathaway brought the True Grit cast and crew to Ridgway & Ouray County in late summer of 1968. The movie was released in 1969.
Now, instead of putting on a festival, our focus has shifted to the True Grit walking tour. The tour covers the downtown locations where the movie was filmed.
SCULPTURE WANTED: Know of a John Wayne sculpture someone is trying to find a home for? We would love to have you donate it to the Ouray County Ranch History Museum. Contact Joan Chismire, 970.316.1085, JChismire@gmail.com.
In April 2024, representatives from the real Fort Smith toured Ridgway (photo) to share information and ideas to encourage visitation to both locations. For more information, visit truegrittrail.com/yell-county-historical-society and marshalsmuseum.org.