And the West is History: Gabbe Family at 411 W. 28th St., Durango – ca. 1894

This home is located just east of Junction Street on 28th Street. The photo can be reliably dated between 1893 and 1895 based on the young child sitting next to her mother on the front porch. She is Ella Wertin, born in 1892. The other people are the extended Gabbe family and in-laws. Ella died tragically from appendicitis three months after graduating from Durango High School in 1911. Her cousin, Frank Gabbe is perched on the fence. Born in 1879, he worked for the D&RGW Railroad for 44 years, the last 25 years as Durango yard master. He lived to the age of 84. The home still exists, albeit with several modern additions. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 96.08.34 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)