The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was still a year away, but the town of Durango was already springing to life in anticipation of its arrival, as shown in this 1880 picture. The railroad was welcomed by everyone, but probably some more than others. The European Hotel, just to the right of the big pine tree in the center of the picture, was built on Railroad Street in the D&RG right-of-way. The next year, the railroad forced it to be moved. (See next week’s picture.) This photo shows what would be Ninth Street and Main Avenue today. Bank of Durango, later First National Bank, is the large building on the corner. The same large pine tree pictured would later be used by vigilantes to hang the drunkard, gambler and barroom killer Henry Moorman, on April 11, 1881.<br><br>Ed Horvat for AnimasMuseum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org
The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was still a year away, but the town of Durango was already springing to life in anticipation of its arrival, as shown in this 1880 picture. The railroad was welcomed by everyone, but probably some more than others. The European Hotel, just to the right of the big pine tree in the center of the picture, was built on Railroad Street in the D&RG right-of-way. The next year, the railroad forced it to be moved. (See next week’s picture.) This photo shows what would be Ninth Street and Main Avenue today. Bank of Durango, later First National Bank, is the large building on the corner. The same large pine tree pictured would later be used by vigilantes to hang the drunkard, gambler and barroom killer Henry Moorman, on April 11, 1881.<br><br>Ed Horvat for AnimasMuseum, [email protected]Courtesy of La Plata County Historical Society, www.animasmuseum.org