A Brief Free Box History

May 5, 2021

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A group of people is gathered outside, watching a person cut a ribbon on a large wooden crate against a building. The scene appears festive. A handwritten note on the photo reads: Builder Al Cuts Ribbon on New Face Box, 1983 Willits.

By Matt Hoisch

The ribbon cutting for the new Free Box in 1983. Hand-written caption reads “Brother Al Cuts Ribbon on New Free Box, 1983 Telluride.” Image courtesy of Harold Wondsel.

The ribbon cutting for the new Free Box in 1983. Hand-written caption reads “Brother Al Cuts Ribbon on New Free Box, 1983 Telluride.” Image courtesy of Harold Wondsel.

On May 11, 2021, the Telluride Town Council will discuss the future of a storied part of the town where people have been dropping off and finding this and that for years: the Free Box. According to Mayor Delanie Young, the conversation was supposed to happen last May, but the pandemic pushed it back. And this isn’t the first time Town has asked these question. Since its inception over four decades ago, the Free Box has been a site of both discovery and controversy. As next week’s discussion approaches, KOTO took a look back the history of the Telluride Free Box.

Since its inception over four decades ago, the Free Box has been a site of both discovery and controversy. Image courtesy of Harold Wondsel.

Since its inception over four decades ago, the Free Box has been a site of both discovery and controversy. Image courtesy of Harold Wondsel.

Sam Siegel has owned the building behind the Free Box for most of its existence and says over the last few years the state of the Box has become an “eye sore.” Images courtesy of Sam Siegel.

Sam Siegel has owned the building behind the Free Box for most of its existence and says over the last few years the state of the Box has become an “eye sore.” Images courtesy of Sam Siegel.

When the pandemic shut down Telluride in March 2019, the Town shut down the Free Box, and it has remained boarded-up since then. On May 11, Town Council will have what Mayor Delanie Young expects to be the first of many work session discussions about the future of the Free Box. Image by Matt Hoisch.

When the pandemic shut down Telluride in March 2019, the Town shut down the Free Box, and it has remained boarded-up since then. On May 11, Town Council will have what Mayor Delanie Young expects to be the first of many work session discussions about the future of the Free Box. Image by Matt Hoisch.

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