Volume 2: Later Durango and Local Narrow Gauge Railroads

The town of Durango was created by Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company to process ore from the mines in nearby towns and the railroad has been a significant factor in the town from 1882 until now. According to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, providing a scenic ride through the majestic San Juan Mountains for passengers was an important part of the train’s purpose from the start, along with hauling hauling gold and silver ore to the smelters. That continues to this day with over 200,000 passengers riding each year. (source) Durango is more than the train and tourism. Natural resources, food and beverage manufacturing, and lifestyle firms are key industries in La Plata County. (source) Durango is also home to Fort Lewis College. Originally an Army post and then later a boarding school for Native American students. Formed in 1911, Fort Lewis College moved to its current location on the mesa above town in 1956. “The Fort,” as it is locally known, is Colorado’s public liberal arts institution with close to 3,500 students who can choose from numerous majors. FLC embraces its responsibility to provide educational opportunities to the nation’s Native American and Indigenous students. Fort Lewis is particularly known for the success of its cycling teams that have accumulated over 20 national championships and was the top Division I team in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011. (source) A diversified economy in Durango is also flourishing. Durango is an immensely popular tourist destination, and consistently ranks as one of the “best places to live” in the United States. Many cite the spectacular natural resources surrounding the town and which provide incredible year-round outdoor recreation opportunities such as cycling, skiing, river rafting, fishing, hiking, and more.


Pages

Durango, Colorado
View of Las Animas Valley and Durango from mountaintop nearby.
Durango, Colorado
Picture of Main Street in Durango, Colorado. Drug store in the foreground and First National Bank in the background.
Durango, Colorado
Color photo of Durango, Colorado. Mountain range can be seen in background.
Durango, Colorado Train Station
View of the back of a passenger train at the Durango station with people on board.
Durango- Alamosa D.& R.G. Narrow Gauge Passenger Train.
A black and white photograph of the Narrow Gauge Passenger Train, in Durango, Colorado. The train can be seen going across the tracks, and hills and trees are also visible.
Durango-La Plata Aquatic Center (Durango, Colo.)
View of people swimming at the Durango-La Plata Aquatic Center in Durango, Colorado.
Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Passenger Train
A picture of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge passenger train, at the railroad station in Durango.
Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, with writing.
On the front of the postcard, "Hello..., Wow! What a ride we've just had on the D&R Narrow Gauge train between Durango and Silverton, Colorado. A 53-mile trip of breathtaking beauty and thrills high in the mountains. These new fangled space rockets have nothing on this ride when it comes to going places! Yours," with a photograph of the train.
Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge leaving Silverton (Colo.)
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge train traveling over a bridge with trees showing fall colors in the background.
Durango-Silverton narrow gauge RR
Color photo of the Durango-Silverton Train. Caption on front reads "Durango -- Silverton Narrow Gauge RR".
Durango-Silverton narrow gauge above Shalona Lake (Colo.)
Picture of Durango-Silverton train coming around the bend above Shalona Lake.
Durango-Silverton narrow gauge above Shalona Lake (Colo.)
View of the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge passenger train traveling along a cliff edge just beyond Shalona Lake.

Pages