Near the corner of what many Durangoans refer to as “malfunction junction” sits one of Durango’s most iconic and historic homes at 1503 East Third Ave. It is pictured here just before a major renovation. This Queen Anne-style home was built in 1881 for the president of First National Bank and Durango’s third mayor, George W. Brown. Later, it became the home of David F. Day, the founder of The Durango Democrat newspaper, a precursor to The Durango Herald. Day died in 1914 and the house came under the ownership of Wesley R. Rowland, one of the best known and most successful photographers of early Durango. Today, it bears a striking likeness to its former grandeur. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum (Catalog Number: 04.05.200 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)