Early Durango circa 1889
A majority of the buildings visible in this photo were destroyed in the fire of 1889. The nearest block featured a wide variety of businesses, including the Grand Central Livery, the building on the right. A look down Main shows smelter smoke drifting about. To locals that smoke represented jobs, salaries, industry and profits and, therefore, looked good in photographs, thus demonstrating Durango as progressive.
The power and telephone poles proved an attractive nuisance. People tacked notices, cards, playbills and whatever else they wanted on them. The City Council warned people to stop such defacing and had the poles painted. Nothing worked, so in 1907 an ordinance levied a $5 to $50 fine on offenders.
The Moments Project is a conceptual public sculpture by Shan Wells, designed to preserve the cultural heritage of Durango, and to make visible the movement of time.
Erected 2005 by Shan Wells' Moments Project. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 37° 16.521′ N, 107° 52.798′ W. Marker is in Durango, Colorado, in La Plata County. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Main Post Office Professional Building (a few steps from this marker); Jack Dempsey (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Newman Block (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main St., Durango circa 1890 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (approx. 0.4 miles away); Southern Durango with views of Smelter Mountain (approx. 0.4 miles away); Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (approx. half a mile away); Trails to Rails (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durango.
Also see . . . Moments in Durango’s history (The Durango Telegraph, 2005). (Submitted on November 17, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
