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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- Snowcapped La Plata Mountains - San Juan Basin, Colo.
- Black and white photograph of Snowcapped LaPlata Mountains in the San Juan Basin, Colorado on a postcard.
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- South Durango (Colo.)
- Photograph of south Durango, Colorado.
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- Spanish Trails Fiesta (Durango, Colo.)
- Spanish Trails Fiesta horse race at the La Plata County Fairgrounds (Durango, Colo.). Five horses and riders are passing the packed grandstand.
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- Spanish Trails Fiesta (Durango, Colo.)
- Bareback bronc rider at the Spanish Trails Fiesta, Durango, Colorado.
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- Spanish Trails Fiesta (Durango, Colo.)
- Horse race at the Spanish Trails Fiesta, Durango, Colorado. -- [on the track of the La Plata County Fairgrounds, site of the world's first use of the photo finish technology].
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- Spanish Trails Fiesta Grounds (Durango, Colo.)
- Aerial view of the Spanish Trails Fiesta fairgrounds in Durango, Colorado.
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- Spanish Trails Fiesta in Durango, Colo., featuring Red Ryder and Little Beaver
- Promotional post card featuring Red Ryder (Fred Harman) and Little Beaver, who will appear at the Spanish Trails Fiesta. Card has been autographed by Red Ryder and Little Beaver. Aug 1, 2, 3, year unknown.
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- Spanish Trails Fiesta- Durango, Colo.
- Black and white picture of a man riding a bull.
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- Spring Scene on Durango - Silverton Highway - on Lime Creek
- Spring scene on Durango - Silverton Highway - at Lime Creek.
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- State Fish Hatchery at Durango, Colorado
- Black and white photograph of the State Fish Hatchery at Durango, Colorado. A pond is in the foreground, a house and several other buildings are behind the pond. Many trees rim the pond.
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- Stone Bridge (Durango, Colo.)
- Distant view of stone bridge with the Animas River running high against the bridge. Identification of bridge and river is based on other post cards in the collection. Several people are standing on the bridge in the foreground there is a wooden shack.
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- Stone Bridge Over the Animas River (Durango, Colo.)
- Photo of two people standing on a bridge over the Animas River flowing underneath. Identification of bridge and river based on other post cards in the collection