Durango in La Plata County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Saloon District circa 1910
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2025
1. Saloon District circa 1910 Marker
The right side of Main's 900 block housed many of Durango's saloons. Proper women would not walk on the west side of this block, except for the south end, where the First National Bank stood. Also, at various times restaurants, cigar stores, and barbershops operated in the block.
Across the street were a variety of stores, including grocery, hardware, cobbler, book, and jewelry. The short block west, on 10th to the railroad tracks, was the town's Chinese section. It contained laundries, restaurants, and stores. Never large in numbers (fewer than fifty persons), the Chinese, nevertheless, represented the community's largest minority group until after 1900.
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. A free map of 19 other stanchions constituting a driving/walking tour of Durango may be obtained at the following locations: Durango Community Recreation Center, Center for Southwest Studies, Durango Arts Center, Durango Chamber of Commerce, Durango City Hall, Durango Public Library, Animas Museum. To learn more about the history of Old Durango, visit the Animas Museum.
Erected 2005
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 37° 16.477′ N, 107° 52.813′ W. Marker is in Durango, Colorado, in La Plata County. It is on Main Avenue just north of East 10th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Main Avenue, Durango CO 81301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jack Dempsey (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Main Post Office Professional Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Durango circa 1889 (about 300 feet away); Old Durango Courthouse circa 1892 (about 400 feet away); The Gardenswartz Building (about 500
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2025
2. Saloon District circa 1910 Marker
Also see . . . Historic Walking Tour (Downtown Durango).
Excerpt: 900 Block of Main Avenue(Submitted on January 9, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Known as the notorious saloon district in Durango, the west side of the 900 block was filled with gambling halls and saloons between 1890 and the Prohibition Era. Ten saloons were located in the district in 1893.1000 block of Main Avenue
In 1910 the 1000 block had a significant contingent of Chinese settlers who operated restaurants & laundries.
1001 Main Avenue An early Durango movie house, The Gem Theater was located in the building in 1915. The buildings original 1890s storefront is gone, but the brick designs on the wall facing Main bring a unique element to the Downtown.
1015 Main Avenue The cast iron and pressed metal front was made by Mesker Brothers of St. Louis, and likely came to Durango on the train. These early pre-fab products were popular because they were durable, fire resistant and inexpensive.
1060 Main Avenue The Old Post Office build in 1929 and then restored in 1985.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2025
3. 1000 Block of Main Avenue West side
Looking northwest across Main Avenue from the historical marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 117 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
