40-758: The Strater Hotel , in Durango, Colorado , is a historical hotel that opened in 1887 at the height of the American Gilded Age . Among its notable guests throughout its history are President Gerald Ford , Will Rogers , writer Louis L’Amour , the Grateful Dead , and astronauts from the Apollo missions . It has been a charter member of the National Registry of the Historic Hotels of America since 1989. The Strater
80-619: A mediterranean-influenced humid continental climate ( Dsa / Dsb ). As of the 2000 census , there were 13,922 people, 5,492 households, and 2,603 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,052.4 inhabitants per square mile (792.4/km ). There were 5,819 housing units at an average density of 857.8 units per square mile (331.2 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 86.8% White , 0.5% African American , 5.5% Native American , 0.7% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 4.1% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.3% of
120-863: A 4-lane, divided highway) to Albuquerque, New Mexico . North of Durango, 550 is nicknamed the Million Dollar Highway , and is part of the scenic San Juan Skyway . Durango is served by Durango–La Plata County Airport ( IATA code: DRO), a major regional airport for southwestern Colorado, located near Ignacio, Colorado . The airport is serviced year-round by regional carriers Mesa Airlines ( American Eagle ), SkyWest Airlines (American Eagle and United Express ), Republic Airways (United Express), and Envoy Air (American Eagle). As of 2014, regional connecting hubs to DRO include Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Denver International Airport (DEN). Durango Transit provides several loop bus routes in
160-717: A consortium to buy the then aging hotel in 1926. Western author Louis L’Amour, who stayed in Durango with his family, always asked for room 222, located directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon; he said that the honky-tonk music helped set the mood for his novels of the Old West. A number of L’Amour's Sackett series novels were written at the Strater. As a result, room 222 is known today as the Louis L’Amour room. The architecture style
200-466: A family was $ 50,814. Males had a median income of $ 31,812 versus $ 25,022 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,352. 17.2% of the population and 7.3% of families were living below the poverty line . 11.2% of those younger than 18 and 8.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Main Avenue is a Nationally Registered Historic District that cuts through downtown Durango and
240-561: A major tourist attraction. In turn, the D&;RGW introduced the major tourism industry into the Durango area, transporting visitors up to Silverton and back and attracting Hollywood into La Plata County for a time. Once the D&RGW ended up losing its freight traffic in 1968, the tracks from Durango east to Chama, New Mexico , and south to Farmington, New Mexico , were removed, but the Silverton Branch remained in operation until 1981 when it
280-641: A mayor-at-large on a non-partisan ballot. The current mayor of Alamosa is Ty Coleman. Alamosa Public Schools are part of the Alamosa School District RE-11J , and include Alamosa Elementary School, Ortega Middle School, and Alamosa High School . Robert Alejo is the Superintendent of Schools. Adams State University , founded in 1921 as a teacher's college, offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Graduate level programs emphasize teaching and education, art, history and business with many of
320-465: A minimum of 32 °F (0 °C) or less. In the 1981–2010 period, there was an average of 46 nights with minima at or below 0 °F (−18 °C). On July 10, 2020, Alamosa made weather history by measuring a record low temperature 37 °F (2.8 °C) and a record high temperature 92 °F (33.3 °C) in less than 12 hours. As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 9,806 people, 3,828 households, and 1,935 families residing in
360-549: A rival Columbian Hotel after he became furious at the high rents that Rice was charging him for the pharmacy located in the corner of the Strater hotel. The hotel went bankrupt in 1895 with the financial Panic of 1893 and was repossessed by the Bank of Cleveland . The property was then sold it to Hattie Mashburn and Charles E. Stilwell . During the Roaring Twenties , a group of Durango businessmen led by Earl A. Barker Sr. formed
400-687: A scouting trip undertaken on behalf of Palmer. Palmer, among other D&RG associates such as William Bell, started a subsidiary company known as the Durango Trust to sell land and plan a Main Street, 2nd, and 3rd Avenue, and so on to organize the town, taking inspiration from how Palmer founded the city of Colorado Springs . Sales from the Durango Trust skyrocketed by the completion of the D&RG's Silverton Branch, and by 1885, Durango's business district had seven hotels and restaurants, eleven saloons, dance halls and stores, two bakeries and blacksmith shops, and
440-546: A variety of other businesses, also boosting the town of Silverton's population to 2,000 at the time. The D&RG(W) and the Rio Grande Southern Railroad were vital resources to many places, including Durango, before the major introduction of the automobile , helping transport goods such as produce and mineral traffic in and out of the Southwestern Colorado area, and along with other businesses such as
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#1732869323745480-421: Is an eclectic mixture of Italian Romanesque , Renaissance Revival , and other architecture forms. Each room boasted its own wood-burning stove, with some rooms equipped with pianos and washstands. In an era before indoor plumbing, the rooms’ washstands also housed the chamber pots which were emptied each morning by the maids. The hotel also boasted a strategically designed three-story privy. In modern times,
520-546: Is home to galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and other businesses. Two notable and historic hotels, the General Palmer and the Strater , lie at the south end of the avenue, near the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot. With its combination of historic architecture, entertainment, and shopping, Main Avenue has historically comprised the center of Durango and is a popular year-round tourist destination. Durango
560-628: Is known worldwide for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad , a heritage railroad that operates what was the Denver & Rio Grande Western's Branchline to the historic mining town of Silverton, Colorado , also still notably using historic D&RGW Steam Locomotives and other historic rail equipment. Durango is home to Snowdown, an annual midwinter event popular for its Parade of Lights and other events. The event lasts 5 days, with competitions and costumes. The annual Durango Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival features noted musicians from around
600-593: Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building in Durango's Main Avenue Historic District . It was named a national literary historical landmark in 2012 by the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations . The hotel's Diamond Belle bar saloon features bartenders and waitresses who are dressed in historic costume. The hotel was originally built by
640-758: Is now a notable tourist town with many nearby attractions, including the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve , Colorado Gators Reptile Park , and the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad . The town hosts "Summer Fest on the Rio" which occurs the first weekend in June, the Early Iron car show over the Labor Day weekend, and "Weekends on the Rio" on various Sundays throughout the summer The city takes its name from
680-536: Is now the Downtown Durango Historic Business District for its railroad facilities following a brief and most likely perfunctory negotiation with the other establishment in the area known as Animas City, two miles (3.2 km) to the north. The city was named by ex-Colorado Governor Alexander C. Hunt , a friend of D&RG President William Jackson Palmer , after Durango, Mexico , based on his favorable impression of that city resulting from
720-538: Is on the Rio Grande River, which is crossed by two auto bridges, one pedestrian bridge and one rail bridge in town. Auto traffic is served by U.S. Highway 160 running east and west and U.S. Highway 285 and State Highway 17 running north and south. Alamosa is served by the Colorado Pacific Rio Grande Railroad and Bustang . The local airport is San Luis Valley Regional Airport . Alamosa
760-440: Is only 7.31 inches (186 mm), with the months of July through September being the wettest. The aridity depresses normal seasonal (July through June of the following year) snowfall to 27.6 inches (70 cm). The altitude and dryness of the air cause day–night temperature differences to be severe year-round, averaging 35.4 °F (19.7 °C) throughout the year. There was a long-term annual average of 227 days per year with
800-714: Is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is on the Alamosa-Pueblo Outrider line. Alamosa is the shopping center for the San Luis Valley and has several national and regional stores. There are a number of fast food restaurants , two medical clinics, and a regional hospital, San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center . Adams State University is located in Alamosa. ASU is a four-year, state-supported university founded in 1921 and offering degrees in several fields including business and education. Trinidad State College has
840-615: Is the home of Adams State University . Alamosa was established in May 1878 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and quickly became an important rail center. Alamosa was the terminus of the D&RG until 1881, when the line was extended to Monte Vista. The railroad had an extensive construction, repair, and shipping facility in Alamosa for many years and headquartered its remaining narrow gauge service here with trackage reaching many points throughout southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico . Alamosa
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#1732869323745880-560: The Durango Smelter , immensely supporting the town's economy. However, the Great Depression and aftermath of World War II hurt the area's railroad industry. The Rio Grande Southern lost its contract to transport mail in 1951, and soon thereafter suspended operations. The D&RGW also ended their San Juan Express passenger service from Durango to Alamosa. However, the natural scenery along their Silverton Branch had been recognized as
920-505: The Spanish adjective Alamosa , meaning "of cottonwood ", for the cottonwood forests which grow along the Rio Grande and throughout town. Alamosa is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 160 and 285 . At the 2020 United States Census , the city had a total area of 4,910 acres (19.871 km ) including 47 acres (0.192 km ) of water. Alamosa is located along the Rio Grande in
960-570: The La Plata County Area to Hollywood beginning in the mid-1930s, kick-starting Durango's future in film appearances. Alamosa, Colorado [REDACTED] US 285 Alamosa is a home rule municipality and the county seat of Alamosa County , Colorado , United States. The city population was 9,806 in the 2020 United States Census . The city is the commercial center of the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado , and
1000-815: The San Luis Valley, in the highest general agricultural land in the United States. Elevation is about 7,544 feet (2,299 m) in Alamosa with peaks over 14,000 feet (4,300 m) within 23 miles (37 km) of town in the Sangre de Cristo Range . Alamosa is the gateway city to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve . Alamosa features a cold desert climate ( Köppen BWk ) with long, cold winters and warm summers, and dry weather year-round. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from 16.3 °F (−8.7 °C) in January to 64.6 °F (18.1 °C) in July. Annual precipitation
1040-415: The Strater family, who moved to Durango from Cleveland between 1880 and 1881. Specifically, the hotel was the brainchild of Henry Strater, a pharmacist who rallied his brothers and father to help construct the hotel at the cost of $ 70,000. Strater kept his pharmacy in the corner of the hotel, while delegating the management to H. L. Rice, who elevated the social scene at the hotel. Strater eventually opened up
1080-576: The city was $ 29,593, and the median income for a family was $ 33,017. Males had a median income of $ 27,100 versus $ 22,671 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,405. About 18.1% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over. Alamosa is a home rule municipality like many other Colorado towns. The city council has six members, four elected from wards and two at large. The council has authority to make, change, and repeal laws and ordinances. The city elects
1120-508: The city's top employers are: Durango has a number of media outlets, which include The Durango Herald , 99x Durango, The Point, KDGO, XRock 105.3, KDUR 91.9/93.9, Four Corners Broadcasting (KIQX 101.3, KRSJ 100.5, KKDC 93.3, and KKDC AM 930) and many others. Durango is served by U.S. Highway 160 (the Old Spanish Trail ), running east–west, and U.S. Highway 550 , running north–south. Part of U.S. 550 offers high-speed access (primarily
1160-520: The city. According to city-data.com from 2014 there were 9,531 people, 2,974 households, and 1,769 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,995.0 inhabitants per square mile (770.3/km ). There were 3,215 housing units at an average density of 805.8 per square mile (311.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 44.5% White , 2.6% Black or African American , 2.20% Native American , 1.7% Asian , 1.3% Pacific Islander , 0.3% from other races , and 0.9% from two or more races. 49.00% of
1200-465: The community, including Fort Lewis College . Normal hours of operation are weekdays from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Ignacio Road Runner provides bus service to the nearby towns of Ignacio, Colorado, and Bayfield, Colorado , with four trips daily on weekdays and one on Saturdays. Both services share the Durango Transit Center as a hub. Greyhound Lines formerly served Durango, but after budget cuts,
1240-676: The country. It is held in the Strater Hotel, a historic Victorian hotel in Durango. Founded in 1972, the Iron Horse is a 61-mile (98 km) bicycle road race held annually in Durango. Every year cyclists from around the world come together and race the Durango Narrow Gauge Train on its journey from Durango to Silverton . With over 35,000 employees working in the city, Durango is an economic hub in southwestern Colorado. According to Durango's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,
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1280-447: The courses available online. In 2015, the college reached an all-time high enrollment of 3,701 students. The university's location in Alamosa, with an elevation of about 7,800 ft above sea level, attracts many athletes (especially runners) to the school's athletic program. In 2014, ASU added a cycling program. The schools in Alamosa were the subject to the educational segregation lawsuit, Maestas vs. George H. Shone . Alamosa
1320-435: The historic rooms feature Victorian walnut furnishings and vintage Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper. Official website Durango, Colorado Durango is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County , Colorado , United States. The city population was 19,071 at the 2020 United States Census . Durango is the home of Fort Lewis College . The town
1360-435: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,974 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
1400-412: The population. There were 5,492 households, out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a single female householder, and 52.6% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size
1440-450: The service was discontinued. Since 2014, Road Runner Transit (a service of Southern Ute Community Action Programs) has restored daily bus service between Grand Junction and Durango. Since 2018, Road Runner's service has been incorporated into the larger mantle of the state-run program Bustang . Durango has two sister cities , as designated by Sister Cities International : The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad began to advertise
1480-410: Was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.04. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 21.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males. The median income for a household in
1520-403: Was 2.83. In the city, 16.6% of residents were under the age of 18, 26.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 34,892, and the median income for
1560-573: Was organized from September 1880 to April 1881 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG, later known as the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad) as part of their efforts to reach Silverton, Colorado , and service the San Juan mining district, the goal of their "San Juan Extension" built from Alamosa, Colorado . The D&RG chose a site in the Animas Valley close to the Animas River near what
1600-532: Was sold and became the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad . There are significant archaeological sites surrounding the Durango area featured on the State and National historical registers, including: At the 2020 United States Census , the town had a total area of 10,946 acres (44.296 km ), including 1,533 acres (6.203 km ) of water. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Durango has
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