Volume 1: Early Durango
These postcards depict the early days of Durango, Colorado. According to The City of Durango, the town was created by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company in September 1880 as a location for smelters to work the silver and gold being mined nearby. Durango’s more moderate climate at an elevation of 6,512 feet above sea level, a steady water supply from the Animas River, and the availability of coal made it a good choice. The city was named after Durango, Mexico, supposedly because the territorial governor at the time thought the geography was similar. (source)
Pages
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- Post Office and Main Ave. Durango, Colo.
- View of downtown Durango, showing the Post Office and Main Avenue. Vehicles line both sides of the street, people are walking along both sides of the street. Signs for the Silver Dollar Bar and Goodrich are visible.
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- Powder Train Colo.
- Photo of a man on horseback leading about 16 mules with loads up a steep trail.
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- Presbyterian Church (Durango, Colo.)
- Street view of the Presbyterian Church, Durango, Colorado.
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- Presbyterian Church (Durango, Colo.)
- Street view of the Presbyterian Church, Durango, Colorado.
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- Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church, St. Mark's Church (Durango, Colo.)
- Three photos: on the top is the Baptist Church, on the bottom left is the Presbyterian Church, on the bottom right is St. Mark's Church (covered in snow).
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- Public Library (Durango, Colo.)
- Photo of the two-story Durango public library building. Two small trees in the foreground, in the background, on the right side is a structure that resembles a church.
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- Public Library (Durango, Colo.)
- Photo of Durango, Colorado Public Library. There are two trees and grass in front.
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- Public Library (Durango, Colo.)
- Photo of the two-story Durango public library building. Small pine trees are in front of the building, a sidewalk with two steps leads to the entrance of the building.
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- Public School Building in Las Animas, Colo.
- Photo of a two-story building; trees on the left and right of the building; bell tower on top of building, ornate covered entryway, and a picket fence in the foreground
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- Ralph E. Rea
- Photograph of cowboy artist Ralph E. Rea who painted life size pictures on the sandstone bluffs near Durango.
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- Rena Haffley, Trick Rider, Durango, 9-23-1919
- Photograph of Rena Haffley, Trick Rider crouching on one leg on her horse and waving at the Durango Fair & Roundup, 9-23-19.
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- Residence Section, Corner of 8th and 4th Ave. in Durango, Colo.
- Photo of several houses at 8th St. and 4th Ave. with picket fence in the foreground. A man reading a newspaper is on the porch steps. [Writing on back] addressed to Mrs. Frederick Bellvus of Mamaroneek, New York postmarked Durango Colorado. July 26 .01 stamp