National and State Register

Durango Main Avenue Historic District

La Plata County

The district consists of 86 contributing buildings which collectively reflect the late 19th- and early 20th century history and architecture of the downtown area.  Since its founding in the early 1880s, with the arrival of the railroad, Durango grew first as a mining supply and smelter center.  It soon became a focal point for agriculture and logging in southwestern Colorado. 

A photo of a building with dark red brick and white trim with bay windows in the main section on the right with arched windows arched windows on either side of two bays and rest of the building extending in the back.

Durango Main Avenue Historic District (Strater Hotel, 1998 photograph.)

It soon became a focal point for agriculture and logging in southwestern Colorado.  Notable buildings in the district include the 1887 Strater Hotel, the 1895 Palace Hotel, the 1897 Newman Building, and the 1902 General Palmer House.  The property is associated with the Mining Industry in Colorado Multiple Property Submission. [Editor’s Note: A fire on February 23, 2008, heavily damaged three buildings in the historic district.]

National Register

Address

Bounded roughly by 5th St., the Durango and Silverton RR right-of-way, 12th St. & the alley between Main & 2nd Aves., Durango

Site Number

5LP.304