I enjoyed the story about Franciscan friars Francisco Antanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante (Herald, Nov. 4). Thanks for an interesting and well-written article. When discussion turns to these two early explorers and their contribution to our community, I feel it’s appropriate to recognize another early explorer who seldom makes print.
Eleven years before the Dominguez-Escalante expedition, our area was visited by another Spanish explorer, Juan Maria Antonio de Rivera. Rivera also crossed the Animas River and likely camped near the area by present day businesses Walmart and Home Depot. As detailed in his personal journal on July 4, 1765, Rivera named the river that runs through our town the “Rio de las Animas”, the River of Souls”. Rivera has received little recognition for an interesting historical connection to Durango.
In 2004, the bridge behind Home Depot was named Rivera Crossing Bridge or simply, Rivera Bridge in his honor. Though commonly referred to as “the Home Depot Bridge,” in fact, this mega corporation did not contribute to its construction or maintenance. No sign at the bridge yet honors Rivera, but know that the bridge is indeed named for one of our area’s early explorers.
Elwin Johnston
Durango
