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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- Columbine Guest Ranch Near Durango, Colo.
- Black and white aerial photograph of mountains with a lake.
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- Columbine Guest Ranch Near Durango, Colo.
- Sepia aerial photograph of the mountains with pine trees.
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- Columbine Guest Ranch Near Durango, Colo.
- Black and white photograph of mountains and a ranch
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- Columbine Guest Ranch, Durango, Colo.
- Columbine Guest Ranch, Durango, Colorado.
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- Columbine Guest Ranch, Durango, Colo.
- Black and white aerial photograph of Columbine Guest Ranch in Durango, Colorado. A lake and mountains are visible in the background. The postcard is addressed to the Geo Mac Kinnou Family
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- Columbine Guest Ranch, Durango, Colo.
- Photograph of the Columbine Guest Ranch in Durango, Colorado after a winter snow storm.
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- Court House (Durango, Colo.)
- La Plata County Courthouse, Durango, Colorado.
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- Court House, Durango, Colo.
- Picture of old Durango courthouse with power lines.
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- Courthouse (Durango, Colo.)
- Photo of the old La Plata County Courthouse showing clock tower. Trees in leaf surround the building. Card appears to be hand-colored over the black and white photograph.
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- Courthouse (Durango, Colo.)
- Black and white photo of the one story Durango Court house building. On the left, steps with rails lead to the entrance.
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- D and R G Railroad - Durango, Colo.
- Image of D&RG engine #485.
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- D. & R. G. Bridge across the Animas River after first section washed away
- Writing on front states," D&RG Bridge across the Animas R. after first section being washed away" [writing on back] addressed to Miss M.L. Pulering of Otter Pond, Kentucky two postmarks and a one cent stamp. Flood of 1911