Durango history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Durango did not begin spontaneously, but rather as a carefully planned project during the era of the Wild West's development. The city was officially founded in September 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad company. Unlike many mining settlements that sprang up around mines, Durango was designed by engineers for specific logistical purposes.

The name for the city was suggested by former territorial governor A. C. Hunt in honour of the Mexican city of Durango. This name, which has Basque roots, can be translated as "water city," which was perfectly suited for a settlement located on the banks of the Animas River.

Key Factors of Development

The rapid transformation from a tent camp into a thriving city was driven by three main factors:

• The Railway: This was the main engine of progress. The arrival of trains in 1881 connected the isolated mountain regions with the rest of the country, allowing for the export of precious metals and the import of supplies.
• Geography: Its location in a wide river valley provided access to water and a flat area for construction, unlike the difficult-to-access Silverton located higher in the mountains.
• Ore Processing: Durango became not just a transport hub but an industrial centre thanks to the construction of smelters for processing ore from the San Juan Mountains.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early years, the economy of Durango was entirely dependent on the success of the mining industry and agriculture in the valley. The city quickly developed infrastructure: banks, hotels, and trading houses opened here, supplying prospectors with everything necessary — from dynamite to food products.

Cultural life combined features of the typical frontier with a striving for respectability. On one hand, the saloons and games of chance characteristic of the Wild West flourished here. On the other, residents actively developed civil society: newspapers were founded, and churches and schools were built within the very first years, distinguishing Durango from temporary gold-digger camps.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1880 — The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad company founds the city on the banks of the Animas River to service the mines of the San Juan region.
• 1881 — An important year for Durango: in April, the settlement officially receives city status, and in the summer, the first passenger train arrives, opening the era of railway communication.
• 1887 — Opening of the legendary Strater Hotel, which became a symbol of Victorian elegance and continues to operate to this day.
• 1893 — The collapse of silver prices causes an economic crisis, forcing the city to seek new paths of development and rely on agriculture.
• 1906 — The founding of Mesa Verde National Park nearby attracts the first tourists wishing to see the ancient cliff dwellings.
• 1956 — Fort Lewis College moves to a new campus on a hill above downtown Durango, turning the city into a significant educational centre of the region.
• 1961 — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is designated a National Historic Landmark, saving it from oblivion.
• 1981 — The historic railway line passes into private ownership and completely reorients towards tourist transport.
• 1990 — Durango hosts the first-ever UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, cementing the city's fame as a sports capital.
• 2002 — The major Missionary Ridge Fire in the vicinity becomes a serious trial that unites the local community.
• 2010s — The city finally shapes its image as a popular year-round resort with a focus on eco-tourism, gastronomy, and active recreation.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The evolution of Durango is an example of how an industrial outpost was able to reinvent itself while preserving its historical charm. Here are the key milestones that defined the modern look and economy of the city:

• The Era of Smelters (1880s – 1900s).
  The construction of a silver and lead smelting plant (later the American Smelting and Refining Company) at the foot of Smelter Mountain was a city-forming factor. This enterprise provided jobs for hundreds of people and made Durango the industrial centre of the region, although it created environmental challenges that the city successfully addressed in the late 20th century.
• Establishment as an Agricultural Hub (Early 20th Century).
  After the drop in silver prices, the city reoriented towards servicing the farmers and ranchers of the San Juan Basin. This economic decision allowed Durango to avoid the fate of a "ghost town" and contributed to the development of commercial infrastructure on Main Avenue.
• Relocation of Fort Lewis College (1956).
  Moving the campus from the rural area of Hesperus directly to Durango (on the mesa above the city) radically changed the demographics. The arrival of students and faculty brought cultural diversity, arts, and a demand for a higher quality urban environment to the city.
• Opening of Purgatory Resort (1965).
  The launch of Purgatory Resort (originally Durango Ski Area) 40 km from the city turned Durango into a year-round tourist destination. This stimulated the development of the hotel business and services, making winter as active a season as summer.
• Preservation of the Historic Centre (1980s).
  Designating the city centre as a National Historic District and the active restoration of Victorian buildings allowed for the monetization of historical heritage. This urban planning decision secured Durango's status as one of the most atmospheric cities of the West.
• Birth of Cycling Culture (from 1972).
  The start of the annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, where cyclists race against a train, laid the foundation for the city's brand as a mecca for mountain biking. This led to the development of an extensive network of urban trails and the attraction of a young, active audience.

Urban Development: From Tents to Brick

The architectural appearance of Durango is a visual chronicle of the transformation from a temporary railway workers' camp into a respectable city. The initial layout, developed by engineers of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in 1880, presented a strict grid of streets oriented parallel to the Animas River rather than the cardinal directions. This pragmatic decision defined the structure of the centre for centuries to come.

A crucial turning point in urban planning was the devastating fire of 1889, which destroyed the wooden centre. Following this, city authorities mandated that commercial buildings on Main Avenue be built of stone and brick, which gifted Durango its monumental historic centre famous today.

Key Architectural Styles and Eras

Walking through the streets of the city, one can trace the changing eras and tastes of local residents. The main architectural stock of the historic centre belongs to the period of economic flourishing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Victorian Commercial Style (Late 19th Century).
  The dominant style on Main Avenue. It is characterized by the use of red brick, cast-iron facades on the ground floors, and decorative cornices. Buildings were constructed close to one another, creating a unified street front intended to demonstrate the reliability and prosperity of businesses.
• Italianate Style.
  A popular direction in early Durango. It is distinguished by tall narrow windows with arched tops and richly decorated brackets under the roof. A prime example is the famous Strater Hotel, built in 1887, which combines brickwork with elegant white finishing details.
• Queen Anne Style.
  This style reigns in the residential quarters, especially on the prestigious Third Avenue Boulevard. It is characterized by asymmetry, the presence of turrets, bay windows, spacious verandas, and complex roof shapes. These homes were built for the urban elite who wished to emphasize their status.
• Spanish Colonial and Mission Style.
  Appeared slightly later, reflecting the influence of Southwestern culture. An example can be seen in the railway depot building (although utilitarian, it traces regional features) and some public buildings of the early 20th century with their stucco facades and tiled roofs.
• Regional Modernism (Mid-20th Century – Present).
  A vivid example of modern architecture integrated into the landscape is the campus of Fort Lewis College. The buildings here are executed using local sandstone, which visually connects them with the surrounding mountains and cliffs.

Iconic Districts and Objects

Durango's architectural heritage is concentrated not in a single building, but in cohesive ensembles that form the city's atmosphere:

• Main Avenue Historic District: The heart of the city, where dense development from the Victorian era has been preserved. Located here are the oldest banks, hotels, and saloons, many of which have been functioning for their original purpose for over 130 years.
• Third Avenue Boulevard: A residential district that has become an open-air museum. The wide street with a median strip planted with trees is framed by mansions in styles of Victorian eclecticism, Classicism, and Craftsman style.
• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Depot: Built in 1881, this building remains an unchanging symbol of the city, preserving the spirit of the era of steam locomotives and pioneers.

Distinguished Personalities of Durango

Despite its modest size, Durango has been the birthplace or home to many people who have left a noticeable mark on world-class history, culture, and sports.

• Stuart Roosa
  NASA Astronaut, Command Module Pilot of the Apollo 14 mission
  A native of Durango (born here in 1933). Roosa went down in history not only as a conqueror of space but also as the initiator of the "Moon Trees" experiment. He took hundreds of seeds with him into lunar orbit, which, after returning, were germinated and planted in various corners of the USA, including the territory of his hometown.
• Louis L'Amour
  Famous writer, master of the Western genre
  Although L'Amour was not born in Durango, he spent a significant amount of time here and considered the city his source of inspiration. The writer often stayed at the historic Strater Hotel. It is believed that he wrote many of his bestsellers right here, in room 222, to the sounds of the antique piano from the lounge below.
• Ned Overend
  Mountain biking legend, first UCI World Champion
  A living legend of cycling who moved to Durango in the 1980s. Overend won the first-ever Mountain Bike World Championships, which were held specifically in Durango in 1990. His presence and activities played a decisive role in transforming the city into one of the world capitals of mountain biking.
• Tom Tully
  Theatre and film actor
  Born in Durango in 1908. Tully had a successful career in Hollywood, appearing in dozens of films and series. His most significant achievement was an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the classic war drama "The Caine Mutiny" (1954).
• Sepp Kuss
  Professional road cyclist
  A Durango native who became a star of modern cycling. A product of the local cycling development programme (Durango Devo), he achieved grand success by winning the Vuelta a España in 2023, one of the three most prestigious races in the world, confirming Durango's status as a forge of sporting talent.
• Steve Carlton
  Baseball player, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher
  One of the greatest pitchers in baseball history spent part of his childhood and youth in Durango, where he began playing in the school league. His major league career, especially with the Philadelphia Phillies, earned him four Cy Young Awards.