Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-08-10
Durango Holds the Key
To Industrial Situation.

very few of which nave been develop
ed. During the last year a great deal
of these lands have been secured by
railroads and large coal companies
but very little development has been
done.
From the Cumbres range TO the Blue
| mountains in Utah the ranges are
covered with cattle, horses and sheep,
the ranges are the finest to be found
anywhere in the West, and stock re-
quire but little feeding during the
worst part OF the winters. Many a
man can be pointed out who started
poor and made his fortune In the
stock business here.
The lumber business of this section
is one oil great magnitude. Large
mills are located at Pagosa Junction,
Edith, Lumberton, El Vado, and In
Montezuma county. while several
smaller mills are located on Florida
river, on the Animas river and at 9TH
er points nearer Durango.
The rubber industry, which is Just
being started. promises to become
one of the great ones of this section
Two companies have secured sites for
factories and one company has its ma
chinery on the road from the East
and is buying rubber weed and piling
ii up. The diggers receive $50 per
ton for the roots, which enables them
TO make good wages. 1t is estimated
4 ha fa at. 81. ,.,;II
tons day, and this would distribute
$1,000 a day among the diggers alone.
This industry will make valuable the
land that cannot be watered-the land
above the ditches--which has always
heretofore been considered worthless.
AS proof of the claim that the rubber
weed grows larger here than any
located at lockwood. % miles north
of town. The enterprise is nearing
completion, and 1t is expected power
will be turned on by the 1st of Janu-
airy. This mammoth enterprise has
consumed more than two years al
ready. 1t is designed TO furnish pow.
er for the mines of Silverton, Red
where else in the state. 1t may be
mentioned that the factory at Buena
Vista is now buying roots from the
Durango fields. While nine ounces is
considered large weed on the east
ern slope, wagonloads are gathered
here that weigh from two TO nearly
three pounds.
Durango boasts of the second larg-
est power plant in the world. 1t is
and the Needle mountains, which will
greatly lessen the cost of operating
the mines. 1t is also designed to fur
lish light for such towns within It's
reach as are in the market. This one
enterprise alone will revolutionize the
mining industry and when power can
be obtained from 1t at the low price
proposed, many mines that have new
er yet been able to work at a profit
will be turned into steady shippers.
Perhaps the very greatest asset Du-
rango has is the pure and abundant
water supply The water is brought
from the Needle mountains, a distance
of 40 miles. The new system was in
stalled year and half ago at a cost
If $150,000 and a chain of reservoirs
nave been secured which will make
possible a supply for city Of 10000
inhabitants. The water is pure and
,old and the source Is in non-min-
ing section, and there can never be
any trouble about the water being
polluted
Owing to the delightful climate, to
The fortunate location and the excel
lent school advantages, Durango is
fast coming into favor as a desirable
residence town. Men who follow the
calling of mining find II advantageous
to operate in Silverton, in the La Pla-
tas or the Needle mountains and have
their homes in Durango. Here they
can visit their families often, at little
loss of time and light expense. The
town is medium between noun
tain and a valley town. The winters
here are mild and the summers are
not hot. The school advantages of
fered here are not to be excelled ex-
cept in much larger places. Durango
is making a bid for residents Of this
class, and this is one of the reasons
why the schools are kept at their
highest standard.
The board of trade has been for
several months past in correspond
ence with beet sugar companies and
expects To secure sugar factory here
next year. They have assurance OF
this. Experiments are being conduct.
ed this season to see Just what can
be done in the way Of beet culture
here. Farmers In every section OF
rine county are raising small patches
of beets and from these tests will be
made by the sugar companies to de
termine their value for sugar making
From tests made In previous years
our people know the very highest
grade Of sugar beets can be raised
here.
! A creamery for Durango is one ol
the latest industries the board o
trade has taken up, and creamer,
can be put down as an assured fac