Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-04-10
LAND OF
NUMEROUS
RESOURCES
(By VIII A. BallingerJ

AS the d. a. X G. train glided
around vordent hills. high crags and
giant peaks, covered with perpetual
snow. VIC gazed ON some OF the grand
est scenery nature has given as a
heritage to man. As the icy torrents,
fresh from the perpetual snow fields,
dash down the canons. breaking high
over rocks and boulders in their
| course. we can scarcely realize what
Il prodigious amount OF energy is but
awaiting the proper harness and curbs
to do a mighty work for man. In
these rushing waters sports tne frsky
| trout that disdains aught but life of
strenuous activity. The hills covered
with pines, cedars, and other conifers
| not only present an enchanting pic
| ture TO the eye and watt those balsam
| odors with their life-giving aroma 10
weak lungs, but in tnose quiet gladcs
roamed the timid deer and brusk old
bruln. Here stands millions of feet
of fine timber furnishing a supply Of
cheap material for buildings, rancSi
use and for the development OF those
vast mineral deposits that nature has
planted here with such a lavish hand.
TIE shrill voice OF the locomotive
announces OAR arrival TO a town and
suddenly we glide into vast amphi.
theater and Durango. Colorado the
coming city of the great southwest,
greets our view Walled in by 81.
unf h,,,I l,,r
herself in artists designs. not
walling out hoardes of savages
as in cities of old but ward.
Ing on the forces of nature herself. in
the form Of chilling winds. which
prove 10 disagreeable to dwellers on
the eastern slope OF the Rockies, and
the dreaded grinding sand storms OF
the arid plains.
The magnificent scenery. the pine
laden air. the bright sunshine: the
purest of water direct from the snow
fields; fne vegetables, beautiful fruit
and fresh farm products from the
nearby ranches place Durango In tne
lead as natural sanitarium for those
seeking either health or pleasure in
this land Of perpetual sunshine.
The Animas river. with It's source
In the high mountains TO the nortn.
flows down through the beautiful La
Plata mountains some sixteen miles
north of the city. and the tourist pass
ing over the railroad connecting Sill
verton with Durango, will stand mute
in tut Ia ip0 hn y,Ntu
grandeur of scenes brought to view.
The great volume Of water flowing
down the Animas and the steep grade
of the channel will make 1t possible
to utilize tens of thousands of horse.
power to run the mines. mills, factor.
les. trolleys and furnish light to dwell
ers In this valley. After furnishing
this immense power the water can be
diverted Into canals and utilized to lr.
rigate many thousands of acres OF
rich lands Of the valley. more tnan are
now used, and land too, on which can
be grown the finest fruit. grains and
vegetables that can be produced.
At lockwood, small station on this
line. is now being constructed an elec-
trio power plant, which will be second
only to the great power plant at Mia.
CARA Falls and yet this is only n be.
gipning to what will be. No longer
trne is the old adage that The mill
will never grind with the water that
has passed" but many mills here will
grind with tne water that has long
a al Ind
out pure gold. For right here in the
La Platas are rich mines OF gold, sill
yer and other valuable metals which
had been startling the mining world
by the ricn strikes which have been
made during the past few months. For
years this great mining camp remain
ed stagnant for want of capital and
hustlers to push Its development, but
in this new era of railroad building
and push. work is being rapidly rushed
forward. For this region. rich in min
eral. ranch and power possibilities.
Durango by her natural position, is
the great distributing point.
Along this branch road we find hot
springs around which will grow large
sanitarinms and health resorts.
Trimble Springs has been noted re-
sort for some time, although yet but
in its infancy. Great fields Of alfalfa,
productive gardens, big orchards. nne
stock. poultry and busy bees In this
part of the valley will enable these re.
sorts to furnish menu which cannot
be excelled.
Now, let us take view Of Durango
itself: A rapidly growing city OF
some 1000 population; county seat OF
La Plata county; located as stated be-
fore. In large bowlshaped valley
among the hills. situated Just right to
catch all the rich soup" OF the sur
rounding highly favored regions. The
| Anlmas river, flowing through the
town. has cut out gigantic gateways
in the natural walls to the north and
south, while numerous canons from
the east and west afford entrance fol
roads to enter from east and west