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)

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Main Avenue Looking South Durango, Colo.
Photograph of Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado, looking South.
Main Avenue after the Flood, Durango, Colo.
Photo of Main Street covered in debris and fallen telephone poles. A number of people in the street are observing the damage.
Main Avenue, Durango, Colo.
Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado. A streetcar is in the distance; the tracks run to the foreground of this view. Message written on back is dated February 23, 1908.
Main Avenue, Looking North fromfrom 7th Street - Durango, Colorado
Main Avenue, looking north from Seventh Street, Durango, Colorado.
Main Avenue, Looking South (Durango, Colo.)
View of Main Avenue heading into town; vehicles are parked on the sides of the street. There is a single vehicle moving down the street. What appears to be two smoke stacks are visible on the right side of the photo with Smelter Mountain in the background.
Main Avenue, North from 8th Street (Durango, Colo.)
A view of Main Avenue in Durango, Colorado facing north from 8th Street.
Main Avenue, North from Eighth Street (Durango, Colo.)
Main Avenue, looking north from Eighth Street, Durango, Colorado.
Main Aveune and Strater Hotel, Durango Colorado
Black and white image looking North on Main Avenue. The Strater Hotel is on the left side of the image and cars park in the street.
Main Street Bridge over Animas River, Flood of 1911
Main Street bridge over Animas River, Flood of 1911.
Main Street Looking North (Durango, Colo.)
Photograph of Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado, looking north. A person is crossing the street and there are cars driving down the street and parked on the side. Banners hang across the street from buildings.
Main Street, Durango, Colo.
A real photo black and white view of Main Avenue in Durango, looking north. Numerous businesses are visible, including National, Kiva Theatre, Gordon's, etc. A note written in ink on the address side of the card reads, "Was here Wed. 6-8-55."
Main Street, Durango, Colo.
This postcard features a view of downtown Durango on Main Street. On the left is the post office. People can be seen walking down the sidewalks and there are cars parked along the sides of the road.

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