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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- Mamie Francis Shooting from her Horse (Durango, Colo.), 9-23-19
- Mamie Francis shooting from her horse, 9-23-19, in Durango, Colorado, at the Durango Fair and Roundup.
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- Man Photographing Band Musicians
- Photograph of a man photographing a band of musicians. Handwritten date on the back of the post card is 7/4/18.
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- Man Riding a Bucking Steer
- Photograph of a man riding a bucking steer.
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- Man Thrown from Bucking Steer at Spanish Trails Fiesta (Durango, Colo.)
- Man thrown from bucking steer at Spanish Trails Fiesta, Durango, Colorado.
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- Man Thrown from Bucking Steer at Spanish Trails Fiesta (Durango, Colo.)
- Photograph of man who has just been thrown from a bucking steer, during the Spanish Trails Fiesta in Durango, Colorado.
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- Mercy Hospital (Durango, Colo.)
- View of the three-story Mercy Hospital building, a fence is in front along with many trees and bushes, a car is parked in front on the left side
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- Mercy Hospital (Durango, Colo.)
- View of the three-story Mercy Hospital building with four trees and a telephone pole in front. Hand-colored over b/w photo.
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- Mercy Hospital (Durango, Colo.)
- View of the three-story Mercy Hospital building with water tower visible to the left. Domestic postage: one stamp; foreign: two cents.
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- Mesa Verde National Park Highway out of Durango (Colo.)
- Hand colored photograph of the Mesa Verde National Park Highway out of Durango, Colorado. On back: "Durango, bustling with commercial activity, stands in contrast to its surrounding territory, which is still the Old West, the last frontier. . . ."
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- Methodist Church (Durango, Colo.)
- Photo of the Methodist Church of Durango which has a tall pointed steeple/bell tower. There are small bare trees in front of the church. Two buildings/houses are on the right of the main church building. Person is walking a dog in front of the church.
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- Methodist Church (Durango, Colo.)
- Photo of the Methodist Church with its tall pointed steeple. In front are small bare trees, and there is a dirt road in front of the church. The card appears to be hand-colored over a b/w photo
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- Metrole Hotel (Durango, Colo.)
- View of store fronts with vehicles parked in front; sign for Taylor's Store to the left of the hotel.