Information
Landmark: Historic Downtown DurangoCity: Durango
Country: USA Colorado
Continent: North America
Historic Downtown Durango, Durango, USA Colorado, North America
Historic Downtown Durango embodies a peculiar amalgamation of 19th-century architectural relics and railroad heritage amidst vibrantly active small-town existence in southwestern Colorado's rugged terrain.
Durango's downtown area feels remarkably lived-in and vibrantly authentic proudly holding onto its rugged Old West identity with unbridled energy always.
Durango emerged in 1880 founded by Denver & Rio Grande Railroad amidst frenzied mining activity within nearby San Juan Mountains.
It rapidly morphed into a supply and shipping hub for lucrative silver and gold mining ops especially in hick towns like Silverton.
Town planners deliberately plotted grid pattern with Main Avenue serving as commercial hub right down its centre very deliberately.
First trains chugged into town in eighteen eighty-one and businesses workers saloons and merchants arrived with considerable fanfare and great enthusiasm.
Stone and brick buildings sprang up rapidly between 1881 and 1910 and many still stand remarkably well nowadays in quite excellent condition.
A significant section of Main Avenue was added rather quietly to National Register of Historic Places as Main Avenue Historic District in 1980.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot stood tall on 5th St since 1882 as literal foundation of town.
It houses a small museum and remains an active train depot nowadays serving as departure point for daily scenic rail trips into Silverton.
Built in 1883 Wetter Building stands as Durango's oldest commercial building at 605 Main.
It houses shops and local businesses today after previously serving as a boarding house and soda bottling facility and newspaper office.
Original stonework remains intact with arched windows.
Henry Strater a Cleveland pharmacist built 699 Main Avenue aka Strater Hotel back in 1887 showcasing sheer Victorian grandeur proudly.
It features hand-painted wallpaper and lavishly carved mahogany woodwork amidst opulent period furnishings still functioning as a swanky historic boutique hotel.
Diamond Belle Saloon situated within hotel premises evokes 1800s era with bartenders resplendent in period attire and ragtime tunes filling air.
Western novelist Louis L'Amour famously favored room 222 where he liked writing while listening obscured sounds of trains rumbling past outside.
Blocks 700 through 900 boast a jarring juxtaposition of ornate Victorian-era facades and haphazardly renovated storefronts from early 20th century.713 Main was originally built with ornate Victorian features but got modernized rather dramatically in 1930s with sleek tile and steel-framed windows.900 Main boasts two arresting bank edifices: 1892 Colorado State Bank exemplifies Romanesque style with sturdy arches and thick stone walls and 1882 First National Bank building is an elegant brick structure done in Queen Anne style.
Gem Theatre Site looms at 1001 Main where original facade remains since venerable theater vanished after opening with fanfare back in 1915.1060 Main – Old Post Office built in 1929 stands as a quintessential exemplar of federal civic architecture from the 1920s era.
It maintains stone front and symmetry pretty well with modern offices installed inside rather nicely now.
Durango silently proffers self-guided walking tours beneath fairly historic buildings sporting rather drab plaques in gleaming downtown areas.
Each plaque details its year of construction and original purpose amidst a backdrop of key stories somehow eerily preserved.
Most downtown shops operate independently and are owned locally nowadays.
Outdoor gear and eclectic apparel abound reflecting locals' passion for hiking and backcountry skiing in rugged terrain.<br>Art galleries showcase vibrant Southwestern and authentic Native American work amidst dimly lit rooms with rustic charm.<br>Vintage clothing and odd souvenirs clutter store shelves alongside handmade jewelry and dog-eared books on obscure regional history.<br>Upscale bistros with haute cuisine stand alongside old-time saloons and retro diners serving comfort food to rowdy patrons.
Ore House was established quietly underground with murky past details surfacing slowly over time in mystifying narratives and obscure records.
Furnished entirely in rustic chic, fare evocative of old-school Colorado ranches such as thick cut steaks served copiously.
Steamworks Brewing Company brews craft beer in-house and serves ridiculously hearty pub fare quite enthusiastically every single day downtown.
El Moro Tavern occupies a building steeped deeply in bloodstained history serving up fancy New American grub in a very historic milieu.
Henry Strater Theatre one of Colorado's venerable theatres originally housed opera and now stages plays and sporadic musical performances very actively.
Powerhouse Science Center occupies a revamped 1892 AC power plant situated along the river now hosting super interactive exhibits for families.
Historic Downtown Durango's vibe is pretty great largely because of its remarkably authentic old-timey atmosphere and genuinely captivating aesthetics.
Streets sprawl wide enough for leisurely strolls under summer skies adorned with flower baskets and aglow with warm winter lighting.
Locals artists and tourists mingle freely in area keeping it vibrant yet somehow uncrowded most of time quite remarkably so.
Musicians frequently play live on street corners and nearly every business occupies a building steeped in some quirky history behind it.
Trains still rumble through town horns booming loudly off old brick facades as folks wave enthusiastically from open cars.
It reinforces Durango's identity as a place oddly rooted pretty deeply in railroad legacy somehow beyond being merely some gimmicky novelty.
Historic Downtown Durango remains a vibrant living museum still growing steadily amidst a backdrop of antiquated architecture somehow.
Preservation and vibrant revitalization somehow balance out over time.
Architectural integrity and surrounding natural beauty merge rather majestically in this quaint downtown area nestled deeply in American West.
It's a fantastically quirky destination in its own right not merely a pit stop en route to mountains.
Durango's downtown area feels remarkably lived-in and vibrantly authentic proudly holding onto its rugged Old West identity with unbridled energy always.
Durango emerged in 1880 founded by Denver & Rio Grande Railroad amidst frenzied mining activity within nearby San Juan Mountains.
It rapidly morphed into a supply and shipping hub for lucrative silver and gold mining ops especially in hick towns like Silverton.
Town planners deliberately plotted grid pattern with Main Avenue serving as commercial hub right down its centre very deliberately.
First trains chugged into town in eighteen eighty-one and businesses workers saloons and merchants arrived with considerable fanfare and great enthusiasm.
Stone and brick buildings sprang up rapidly between 1881 and 1910 and many still stand remarkably well nowadays in quite excellent condition.
A significant section of Main Avenue was added rather quietly to National Register of Historic Places as Main Avenue Historic District in 1980.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot stood tall on 5th St since 1882 as literal foundation of town.
It houses a small museum and remains an active train depot nowadays serving as departure point for daily scenic rail trips into Silverton.
Built in 1883 Wetter Building stands as Durango's oldest commercial building at 605 Main.
It houses shops and local businesses today after previously serving as a boarding house and soda bottling facility and newspaper office.
Original stonework remains intact with arched windows.
Henry Strater a Cleveland pharmacist built 699 Main Avenue aka Strater Hotel back in 1887 showcasing sheer Victorian grandeur proudly.
It features hand-painted wallpaper and lavishly carved mahogany woodwork amidst opulent period furnishings still functioning as a swanky historic boutique hotel.
Diamond Belle Saloon situated within hotel premises evokes 1800s era with bartenders resplendent in period attire and ragtime tunes filling air.
Western novelist Louis L'Amour famously favored room 222 where he liked writing while listening obscured sounds of trains rumbling past outside.
Blocks 700 through 900 boast a jarring juxtaposition of ornate Victorian-era facades and haphazardly renovated storefronts from early 20th century.713 Main was originally built with ornate Victorian features but got modernized rather dramatically in 1930s with sleek tile and steel-framed windows.900 Main boasts two arresting bank edifices: 1892 Colorado State Bank exemplifies Romanesque style with sturdy arches and thick stone walls and 1882 First National Bank building is an elegant brick structure done in Queen Anne style.
Gem Theatre Site looms at 1001 Main where original facade remains since venerable theater vanished after opening with fanfare back in 1915.1060 Main – Old Post Office built in 1929 stands as a quintessential exemplar of federal civic architecture from the 1920s era.
It maintains stone front and symmetry pretty well with modern offices installed inside rather nicely now.
Durango silently proffers self-guided walking tours beneath fairly historic buildings sporting rather drab plaques in gleaming downtown areas.
Each plaque details its year of construction and original purpose amidst a backdrop of key stories somehow eerily preserved.
Most downtown shops operate independently and are owned locally nowadays.
Outdoor gear and eclectic apparel abound reflecting locals' passion for hiking and backcountry skiing in rugged terrain.<br>Art galleries showcase vibrant Southwestern and authentic Native American work amidst dimly lit rooms with rustic charm.<br>Vintage clothing and odd souvenirs clutter store shelves alongside handmade jewelry and dog-eared books on obscure regional history.<br>Upscale bistros with haute cuisine stand alongside old-time saloons and retro diners serving comfort food to rowdy patrons.
Ore House was established quietly underground with murky past details surfacing slowly over time in mystifying narratives and obscure records.
Furnished entirely in rustic chic, fare evocative of old-school Colorado ranches such as thick cut steaks served copiously.
Steamworks Brewing Company brews craft beer in-house and serves ridiculously hearty pub fare quite enthusiastically every single day downtown.
El Moro Tavern occupies a building steeped deeply in bloodstained history serving up fancy New American grub in a very historic milieu.
Henry Strater Theatre one of Colorado's venerable theatres originally housed opera and now stages plays and sporadic musical performances very actively.
Powerhouse Science Center occupies a revamped 1892 AC power plant situated along the river now hosting super interactive exhibits for families.
Historic Downtown Durango's vibe is pretty great largely because of its remarkably authentic old-timey atmosphere and genuinely captivating aesthetics.
Streets sprawl wide enough for leisurely strolls under summer skies adorned with flower baskets and aglow with warm winter lighting.
Locals artists and tourists mingle freely in area keeping it vibrant yet somehow uncrowded most of time quite remarkably so.
Musicians frequently play live on street corners and nearly every business occupies a building steeped in some quirky history behind it.
Trains still rumble through town horns booming loudly off old brick facades as folks wave enthusiastically from open cars.
It reinforces Durango's identity as a place oddly rooted pretty deeply in railroad legacy somehow beyond being merely some gimmicky novelty.
Historic Downtown Durango remains a vibrant living museum still growing steadily amidst a backdrop of antiquated architecture somehow.
Preservation and vibrant revitalization somehow balance out over time.
Architectural integrity and surrounding natural beauty merge rather majestically in this quaint downtown area nestled deeply in American West.
It's a fantastically quirky destination in its own right not merely a pit stop en route to mountains.
