And the West is History: World War I-era Durango family – ca. 1918

This photo shows the C.C. Perkins family in front of their home at 1237 East Third Ave. during or shortly after World War I. It was a common practice at the time to dress children as soldiers or nurses to show patriotic support for the war effort. Clayton C. Perkins married Zaidee Rockwood in 1901 in what was then considered an elaborate wedding at the First Presbyterian Church on Third Avenue. Perkins was in the real estate and insurance business with his father-in-law, Tom Rockwood. These are two of his four children, likely his youngest daughter, Luella, and son Gilbert. The old Central High School is visible behind them at the corner of 12th Street and Fourth Avenue. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum (Catalog Number: 98.32.29 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)