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Durango
is southwest Colorado's largest town, with a population of approximately
15,000, (45,000 in La Plata County). Those who live here choose to
live here, and understand the meaning and importance of quality of life.
Thus, the community reflects the energy, contrast, and diversity of the
surrounding geography.
Durango is a
near the Four Corners junction with New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Perched
at 6,512 feet, Durango is tucked between red sandstone bluffs and nestled
in the vast Animas River Valley. To the north lie the peaks of the San
Juan and Needles Mountains, which rise to an average elevation above 10,500
feet. To the west are arid desert lands, and to the south lies the southern
border of the two million acre San Juan National Forest, and stark canyon
country.
( Lodging
in Southwest Colorado :: Durango Colorado River Rafting )
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Durango's
name comes from the Basque word Urango meaning water town.
Durango was founded in
1880 when the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad built a track to Silverton
and established Durango as the hub of its rail system to transport ore
from the mountains to smelters in Durango.
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Many of the original buildings
constructed by Durango's pioneers are still standing and are used today
in the historic districts of Main and Third Avenues.
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Jack
Glenn Schmittel
Longtime
Durango resident Jack Glenn Schmittel, 78, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004,
at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. The cause of death was not disclosed...
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The
Rotary Park Gazebo
Mr.
Schmittel was in the construction business and enjoyed working with and
building things from wood. He was best known for the construction of the
Rotary Park gazebo in Durango.
(
The
Durango Herald Obituaries - Durango, CO )
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Crédits
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Links
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Pictures
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Michael
Conte
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Information
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Durango
Official Site
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Durango
Colorado Official Web-site
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To see it
on Google-Earth
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Lattitude
: 37°16'50.14"N
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Longitude:
107°52'37.44"W
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