And the West is History: Durango teenage costume party – ca. 1910

In the early 20th century, Durango celebrated George Washington’s birthday every year on Feb. 22 with everyone dressed in colonial garb. Schools held special programs; Third Avenue ladies, including Mrs. Haggart and Mrs. Jakway, held parties; even the Redman Hall held a ball with colonial costumes required. Mr. Anhier would rent you a costume if you did not have your own. Professional photographers often recorded the festivities. This photograph depicts a Washington’s Birthday party at Mrs. H.T. Henderson’s home at 848 East Third Ave. around 1910. H.T. Henderson came to Durango in 1900 to build the Tacoma Power Plant and bought this house, built by San Juan pioneer Thomas Rockwood in 1901. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum (Catalog Number: 01.36.63 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)