And the West is History: Animas River near flood stage – ca. 1900

This early 20th-century photo shows the Animas River approaching the flood stage. Graden Flour Mill is visible to the right along the river’s east bank. Originally called the San Juan Flouring Mill, it was constructed in 1882 or 1883 by W.H. Guyles and Thomas Graden. Guyles sold his share of the business to Graden Mercantile Co. in 1891. The DoubleTree Hotel now occupies the mill site after its demolition in 1976. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 15.49.3 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)