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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- Animas River and Canyon (Durango, Colo.)
- Photograph of the Animas River in the Animas Canyon. Wooden structures pictured on the right.
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- Animas River, Durango, Colo.
- Black and white photograph, aerial view of the Animas River in Durango, Colorado. Snow covered peaks in background; railroad tracks follow river.
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- Animas River, Durango, Colorado
- The Animas River in Durango, Colorado.
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- Animas Valley (Durango, Colo.)
- Photograph of the Animas River winding through the Animas Valley above Durango, Colorado.
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- Animas Valley (Durango, Colo.)
- View of what appears to be a flood along the Animas River in the Animas Valley. There is a person standing on a rock on the left side of the card.
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- Animas Valley (near Durango, Colo.)
- Black and white aerial photograph of the farmland in Animas Valley near Durango, Colorado.
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- Animas Valley North of Durango, Colo.
- Black and white photograph of an aerial view of Animas River winding through the valley, snow capped mountains in the far background.
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- Animas Valley South of Durango, Colo.
- Sepia photograph of the Animas Valley and River South of Durango, Colorado.
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- Animas Valley near Durango, Colo.
- Photograph of a person standing on a snow capped outcrop overlooking the Animas Valley and river near Durango, Colorado. A slight mist covers the valley to the north.
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- Animas Valley near Durango, Colo.
- Real photo postcard of Animas Valley with farmland in foreground. Distant shot.
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- Animas Valley near Durango, Colo.
- A black and white photo postcard (looking north) of the Animas Valley, the Animas River winding through, and only one visible structure (a barn).
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- Animas Valley near Durango, Colorado
- Animas Valley near Durango, Colorado black and white photograph on a postcard.