About

Our History

The original 1907 Bent Elbow Hotel was located just 2 doors down from where it sits today on the Notorious Blair Street.  It was once a thriving bar & saloon where both locals and travelers flocked to see a good time.  After a devastating fire, it was rebuilt a few steps away. At one point, there were 32 saloons, gambling halls, and houses of ill-repute on a 3 block stretch of Blair Street.

Over the years, "The Bent" as the locals call it, has been the home base for many local events such as the annual skijoring competition.  At 9,318 ft. elevation, today it operates as a boutique hotel where Victorian charm meets modern comfort.  Located just 1 block from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad stop, our goal is to provide you with a peaceful retreat in San Juan Mountains.  While you won't find a concierge on site at all times, our local team is just minutes away.

More History of The Bent Elbow

The original Bent Elbow was built in 1907 and was opened as "Fattor's Tremount Saloon." It contained a bordello upstairs with 14 cribs. It was owned by Celeste & Matilda "Big Tillie" Fattor.  "Big Tillie" was born April 11, 1875. She passed away January 25, 1918 of pneumonia. After Tillie's passing, Celeste leased the Tremont to two of their "girls".

This building was built in 1907 for Ernest Zanoni and Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pedroni. It was named the Zanoni-Pedroni/Florence Saloon. In 1909, Ernest bought Louis' half of the property. Ernest later left the building to his son Frank Bostock. Frank bought the Saloon on June 30, 1959. At that time this building had The Bent Elbow Hotel and downstairs was the "Monte Carlo Mercantile and General Store". Frank Bostock owned the original Bent Elbow as well which was two-doors north.  He opened a restaurant and bar, filled it with priceless antiques and named it The Bent Elbow. Frank had live music every day. Frank did more for tourism than anyone in town. He was the individual that started the gunfights which were held in front of his businesses the Monte Carlo and the Bent Elbow. Frank also started the first melodrama. This attracted business to the Bent Elbow and Blair Street. Each day when high noon came, and the Durango-Silverton Train arrived, the Gunfights and Melodrama took place. On May 16, 1963, Effie Andreatta and her husband, RM 'Snarky' Andreatta, purchased both buildings. They ran the original Bent Elbow until it burned in January 1968.  After the original Bent Elbow burned, Effie, being an enterprising woman, moved her restaurant into the building that was being ran by The Monte Carlo-Mercantile and General Store. Effie had a new kitchen added on and the restaurant completed. They were operating by the time the first train arrived in the spring of the same year - 1968. The now Bent Elbow was sold by Mike Andreatta, Effie's son, in 1999. He obtained the business back shortly after and sold it to Pete and Leanne Matieli. Pete and Leanne renovated the upstairs from the boarding house to the present beautiful hotel. The hotel upstairs has remained in operation ever since. In April of 2012, Mark and Dawn DeGraffenreid, purchased the building, and continued the tradition to keep the life of the old west. After the Bent Elbow Restaurant last closed in 2021, it has re-opened in 2024 as El Bandito.