And the West is History: Flood aftermath at Main Avenue and 15th Street – 1911

After three days of constant rain totaling 13.6 inches, floodwaters tore through Durango and the surrounding region in October 1911. The Animas Valley from Trimble Lane to Durango resembled one large lake. The flood destroyed much in its path, carrying away at least two Durango houses and an untold number of livestock. Transportation, agriculture and commerce were severely affected throughout Southwest Colorado and northwest New Mexico. Here, men work to repair the damage to the Main Avenue streetcar track caused when the torrent tore out sections of the street along the 1500 block. Durango was said to have lost three bridges, but fortunately, not the Main Avenue Bridge seen here in the background. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum (Catalog Number: 81.07.13 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)