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True Grit: A 50-Year Tribute reprinted

August 1, 2024

Back by popular demand…

True Grit: A 50-Year Tribute has now been reprinted and updated for 2024.  Copies are available by mail from the Ouray County Ranch History Museum (Ridgway) (ocrhm.org).  They may be purchased at the Museum of the West (Montrose), the Ouray Museum and Ouray Bookshop (Ouray), and the Ridgway State Park Visitor Center and Timber Creek Gifts (Ridgway). 

This book tells the behind-the-scenes stories as told by the local residents who were here for the filming in 1968—information available nowhere else!  Also included are a number of articles about other movies filmed in Southwest Colorado, a summary of John Wayne’s film career, and a review of the 2010 version of True Grit.  You’ll learn something interesting on every page.  Quantities are limited so get yours soon.

Heritage Society Offers True Grit Walking Tours
May 1, 2024

Join our knowledgeable guides as they take you to the movie locations where John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby filmed True Grit in the fall of 1968.  This tour was nationally recognized in TrueWest magazine's Best of the West issue as readers choice for best small town historical tour. True Grit is the movie for which John Wayne won his only Oscar.

Tours are available at 3 pm Fridays in June through August. An additional tour is offered at 10 am Mondays in July only.  Meet 15 minutes ahead of time at the Hartwell Park Gazebo in downtown Ridgway.

Those who cannot meet for one of these free tours can schedule a custom tour.  Email evebeckerdoyle@icloud.com to check availability. There is a charge of $10 per adult for this option.

A self-guided audio tour is also available.  Visit ridgwayoldwestfest.org for links. Audio tours cost $11.99.

Plaques at filming sites in Ridgway are found throughout downtown.

Stop by the Ridgway Visitor Center on Sherman Street and ask for the free brochure Ridgway's Western Movies: A Guide to Filming Locations for more information about nearby film locations you can visit.

May 15. 2023

Walking tour pricing has changed this year. Most tours are now free, but attendees may make donations, if they wish, to help us cover advertising costs. In addition, the number of tours has increased, as well as times they are offered.

Those interested in Ridgway’s movie heritage now have five ways to learn about it:
1. Self-guided tour of the plaques, each of which has a map of plaque locations. FREE 
2. Pre-scheduled summer tours at 3pm every Friday June 2 - Sept 1. FREE
3. Pre-scheduled tours in conjunction with two events. FREE
    -the rodeo - Mon, Sept 4, 11 am tour
    -railroad days -  Sat, Sept 23, 12 noon, and 2 pm tours
4. Purchase and download the new audio tour at 

     https://gesso.fm/collections/true-grit-walking-tour $11.99
5. Email evebeckerdoyle@icloud.com and schedule a tour at a time chosen by the attendees.          $10 PER PERSON  
Tour goers should arrive 15 minutes early at the departure point, the Hartwell Park gazebo.

April 1, 2023

True Grit walking tours 

Some changes have been made to the walking tours of True Grit downtown filming sites, now managed by the Ridgway Western Heritage Society. Formerly they were coordinated by the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce. 

The time for the weekly tour is 3 pm Fridays during the summer, which runs from June 2 to September 1. Both guide and participants arrive 15 minutes early at the gazebo in Hartwell Park. The tours are free. 

The True Grit walking tour was recognized nationally in True West magazine's Best of the West issue as readers choice for best historical town tour. 

For questions or to schedule a tour at another time beside Friday afternoon for $10 per person contact: Eve Becker-Doyle, 469-682-9710  or Ed Bovy, 970-765-4868. 

April 1, 2023   

United Church of the San Juans Plans Special Cowboy Worship Service during  Ridgway Old West Fest. The United Church of the San Juans will host a special Sunday cowboy worship service 10:00 am Sept. 24 as part of the Ridgway Old West Fest. This casual service will celebrate our Western heritage and God’s creation through rousing songs, Scripture, and a Bible-based sermon.  Wear your Western duds and come prepared to experience an old-fashioned church service. The church is located at 295 N. Lena in Ridgway.  

REPRINTED and back in stock!

2019 commemorated the 50th anniversary of True Grit's release in 1969. The Ridgway Western Heritage Society published a book, True Grit: A 50-Year Tribute, in connection with the celebration. 

This 128-page book celebrates movie making in Southwest Colorado, the film career of John Wayne, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the famous movie that won John Wayne his only Oscar. 

BOOK REVIEWS -

“True Grit: A Fifty Year Tribute is a marvelous document of the making the film and is filled with rare photographs and delightful anecdotes from the lucky people who were there.” 

Brian Downes, Executive director 

John Wayne Birthplace Museum

“A labor of love by the Ridgway Western Heritage Society, the book is a wide-format compendium of photographs and firsthand accounts from the set and on location, including period articles from local newspapers that lend a very personal touch.”

Dave Lauterborn, Wild West Magazine  

Reviews Some reviews you might enjoy by Bryce Chismire, a local Ridgway, Colorado blogger.  

Book: True Grit - Novel - https://www.screenedword.com/post/true-grit-novel  

Film: True Grit (1969) - https://www.screenedword.com/post/true-grit-1969  

Film: True Grit (2010) - https://www.screenedword.com/post/true-grit-2010