And the West is History: Baker’s Bridge – 1897

This photo shows Baker’s Bridge in November 1897. A group of gold-seekers, led by Captain Charles Baker, came to the San Juan Mountains in 1860. The group built the first bridge over the Animas River in 1861, the same year the Colorado Territory was established. Located 15 miles north of Durango, Baker’s Bridge served as the river crossing for over 50 years. It is now about 100 yards downstream from the original location.– Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum (Catalog Number: 03.37.1 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)