Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-10-20

BUILDING
BOOM


appearances, Durango is going to have
a long spell' of It,
Several structures contribute their
mute but beautiful testimony to the
fact that Durango is growing. not
with rapid lunges, that are preludes to
a coming stagnation, but with a
strong, firm, steady advance, the her
aid of future prosperity and greatness.
| Durango must and will be the third
city in the state. and If building in
creases as it has done during the last
few months. the oldest of the old
timers Will yet live to see the Smell
ter City the great and flourishing me-
tropolis of the southwest, the center
of traffic, of business, of education for
the whole section, second Denver.
The onslaught of the hammer is not
heard throughout the length and
breadth of our town, there is no great
rush of workmen nor upheaval of
| highways, but from the erection of
handsome stone and brick edfices to
the building of new sidewalks, cross
ings and fences. work is going on
without cessation.
| On the Boulevard in central part
of the city stands the new Baptist
church of gray stone, completed in Au-
gust and as fine structure, accord
ing TO its size, as any city could wish
for. The church was finished, fur
nished, dedicated and paid for within
year after the corner stone was
laid and is now carrying on noble
work for the people, and especially
| for the children of Durango.
The portion of the city toward the
Denver & Rio Grande depot has made
wonderful strides in the past six
months. First the fine, large cold
storage plant, the property of William
Wolf & Co., was completed on it's
Sixth street site just below First ave-
nue.. Both in it's construction within
and without, and the purpose which
| it tulflls, it is a much valued addition
| to Durango
The Edelman block, of brick, COM
bining the Mint saloon and an excel
lent lodging house, has also been re-
Gently finished. It's owner, Bernard
Edelman, was fortunate in choosing
the location opposite the upper end
of the railroad property on First ave-
nue., and the building with its pros
porous appearance. is truly an orna-
ment to the city.
On the extensive corner lots of First
avenue and Sixth streets, workmen
are now engaged in laying the founda-
tion for large brick business block,
the property of Perry, Roberts and
Waller. This building will extend to
the railroad tracks and will be one
of the handsomest and best construct
ed blocks in Durango. Business is
brisk in that portion of the city, and
will be fortunate.
A few days ago, the three lots
across from this new block on the cor
ner OF First avenue and Sixth streets,
were purchased by John Hecker for
good sum, and next spring will see
the commencement of a large hotel
and opera house.
The resort on the William Wolf
property opposite is about to be
transformed into meat market by
the company, the saloon people to
move into the building now occupied
by Thompson, the dealer in second
hand furniture, etc. This will bring
about more improvements in the sec
ttion.
During the summer months, the ap-
pearance of this end of the town has
frightened up great deal. The Pal
ace hotel and the Asa G. Poor lodg-
ing house have been repaired extern
sively and painted, and the Inter
Ocean hotel has increased its bust
ness sufficiently to occupy the adjoin-
ing Blain hotel as a rooming house
Minor improvements. such as new
walks, fences, etc, add not little
to the general aspect OF the place
| Near the southern end of Fourth
avenue, in the Mexican portion of the
town, lots have been purchased for
| the erection of a Mexican Catholic
church. Services are now being held
in small building already upon the
ground, cut commodious frame edi-
| flee will soon rise above its founda-
tions and furnish an incentive for the
general upbuilding and advancement
of the town toward the smelter.
The addition to the High school,
which is to take the place of the old
Longfellow school. destroyed last
year by fire, is almost completed, max
Ing as fine school building as the
average city can boast of This is
truly one of the beautiful ornaments
of the town, both in It's construction
and in its noble purpose.
| Excavation has been made and ma
terial is on the premises for an addi-
ton to the fire house. This addition
will be of brick and OF the same
depth and breadth as the old house,
and will be used for the exercise and
hook and ladder wagons, which have
been kept hitherto, in a frame build
ing at one end of the ground The en-.
gine house has recently undergone
thorough painting and repairing, and
the boys intend to make their depart
ment equal to the firemen's comforta.
BILE and often luxurious establishments
In the large cities. They already have