La Plata County(32) ► ADJACENT TO LA PLATA COUNTY Archuleta County(6) ► Dolores County(7) ► Hinsdale County(9) ► Montezuma County(62) ► San Juan County(51) ► San Juan County, New Mexico(29) ►
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On County Highway 250, 0.5 miles east of U.S. 550, on the left when traveling east.
Captain Charles H. Baker, who discovered gold in the San Juan in 1860, led a party of prospectors to this area in 1861. They placer mined on El Rio de las Animas, built the first bridge (300 feet north), and established the town called Animas . . . — — Map (db m177471) HM
Dedicated to Charles E. Bradshaw Jr. who established the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Mr. Bradshaw saved the Silverton branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Western from abandonment in 1981 and preserved the Railroad as a National Historic . . . — — Map (db m71079) HM
On Main Avenue (U.S. 550) at 26th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Avenue.
Residents of La Plata County came forward time and again to meet the challenges presented by the fires. Each person became a hero in his or her own way.
As days turned into weeks, La Plata County fell victim to the fire. Where you are now . . . — — Map (db m160441) HM
On Main Avenue at 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Avenue.
has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
under the provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value
in commemorating or illustrating
the history of the United . . . — — Map (db m160243) HM
On Main Avenue at 11th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Avenue.
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 . . . — — Map (db m160299) HM
On Ranchos Florida Drive, 0.2 miles east of County Highway 222, on the right when traveling east.
The Florida River Railroad Bridge No. 437 (distance in miles from Denver, Colorado), provided an important river crossing in the Denver and Rio Grande's (D&RG) route to Denver. The Union Bridge Company fabricated the Pratt through-truss bridge in . . . — — Map (db m177463) HM
On Main Avenue at West 10th Street on Main Avenue.
In 1915, here at 10th and Main 20 year old Colorado native Jack Dempsey the “Manassa Mauler” knocksdown [sic] Andy Malloy in a ten round fight winning $50 and going on to become world heavyweight champion in 1919. — — Map (db m51813) HM
This man-caused forest fire burned 26,000 acres consuming approximately 150,000,000 board-feet of timber. Reforestation by direct seeding and planting of seedling trees was started in 1911 and continues today.
The project was financed by federal . . . — — Map (db m58966) HM
On Main Avenue at 11th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Avenue.
Built in 1929, this building served Durango for 49 years as the Main Post Office and is listed in the National Registry of Historic Buildings. — — Map (db m160303) HM
On U.S. 550, 0.2 miles north of Academy Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Even though this land was Ute territory, the upper Animas River Valley was first settled by prospectors in the spring of 1860. Charles Baker, returning from the mines north of Silverton, established "Old Animas City" and built the first bridge . . . — — Map (db m177468) HM
On Main Avenue south of College Drive, on the right when traveling south.
The first Rocky Mountain
Chocolate Factory was opened
on this site in May 1981. With
the support of the people of
Durango and her visitors,
Rocky Mountain Chocolate
Factory, Inc. has grown to
become an international
franchisor with . . . — — Map (db m160240) HM
On Main Avenue (U.S. 550) at 26th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Avenue.
Disturbances like fire, insects, and disease help maintain diversity in a forest by creating a mosaic of vegetation. Without disturbances, forest are less resilient and less healthy.
Fire helps create the scenic variety, particularly the aspen . . . — — Map (db m160444) HM
On Rim Drive south of West Campus Court, on the right when traveling south.
The large building in the foreground is Durango's first high school. Above it is the new La Plata County Courthouse. The Boulevard, today's Third Avenue, is the street running between the two. The Ladies' Literary Society planted trees in the . . . — — Map (db m160451) HM
On Main Avenue (U.S. 550) at 26th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Avenue.
On the afternoon of June 9, 2002, a human-caused spark ignited the Missionary Ridge Fire, and a new chapter in the history of our community began.
On June 25, firefighters were further taxed when the Valley Fire started in the Falls Creeks . . . — — Map (db m160439) HM
Built in 1892 by Senator Charles Newman, pioneer merchant, miner and legislator. He maintained his office here until his death in 1906.
Major Daniel L. Sheets, cattleman and member of Colorado’s second state legislature, operated the U.S. Land . . . — — Map (db m51814) HM
On Main Avenue at East 5th Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Avenue.
Trails & Passes
• The Colorado Rocky Mountains, appearing as a formidable barrier, have trails over almost all 260 passes.
• A trail is a corridor between two places: usually a network of paths that meet at certain key points, such as river . . . — — Map (db m153407) HM
On Main Avenue at East 5th Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Avenue.
Stony Pass
• From 1872 until 1882, when the railroad reached Silverton, Stony Pass was the vital link between the San Juan mining districts and supply towns to the east.
• A practical but tough route from Del Norte ran up the Rio Grande . . . — — Map (db m153409) HM
