Starting in the post-war 1940s, a boom took hold with Americans traveling on vacation by road. “Motor Courts” began springing up throughout the United States, and Durango was no exception. Today’s Eighth Avenue was the main thoroughfare into town, and the first motel to welcome visitors was the End-O-Day at 350 East Eighth Ave. From its prime location along U.S. Highway 160-550, the motel was successful for many years. When the highway into town from the east and south was relocated to join Camino del Rio in 1980, its tourist business dropped off. Today, it is considerably changed, but still exists, though mostly as a long-term rental establishment. The iconic sign is still present, however. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 03.53.21 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)
Starting in the post-war 1940s, a boom took hold with Americans traveling on vacation by road. “Motor Courts” began springing up throughout the United States, and Durango was no exception. Today’s Eighth Avenue was the main thoroughfare into town, and the first motel to welcome visitors was the End-O-Day at 350 East Eighth Ave. From its prime location along U.S. Highway 160-550, the motel was successful for many years. When the highway into town from the east and south was relocated to join Camino del Rio in 1980, its tourist business dropped off. Today, it is considerably changed, but still exists, though mostly as a long-term rental establishment. The iconic sign is still present, however. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, [email protected] (Catalog Number: 03.53.21 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)