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Kitty Heit was unique because she owned businesses early in Ouray history. Kitty O’Brien Porter came to Ouray with her son Freddy in 1886. She opened the Bon Ton Restaurant. It was a very popular restaurant. The restaurant is where the patio is now located. In 1889 Kitty married Joseph Heit. He was a successful electrician. In 1903, Kitty adopted a little boy named Frances and gave him last named Heit. In 1893, the silver crisis made the price of silver drop which made many people lose their jobs. Kitty opened sleeping rooms for free for the miners. For this they loved her. Kitty Heit died in 1915, and the town’s people were very sad to lose such a generous woman. The St.Elmo Hotel and the Bon Ton Restaurant are still in business today thanks to Kitty Heit.
