Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-01-11
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
OF PAoosA SPRINGS
tBy Pearl Hallett.,


II has been comparatively only
few years since the valley. which is
now the site OF Pagosa Springs. lay,
lust as many other valleys of the
Rockies lie today, wrapped in per
feet solitude. The Indians. ii is true.
roamed over their native land bat
they ouly added TO its wildness: In
deed. gaining control OF them was one
of the first steps toward the growth
of civilization. This spot, which pos
sessed such natural features in the
way Of its wonderful boiling spring.
pure air and grand scenery as des-
tined it to be known among the re
sorts of Colorado. WIS nrst owned by
the government
Fort Lewis was established here In
1874. Long log buildings. which were
the soldiers quarters. extended along
what is the main street A row OF
log houses, built exactly alike. reach
ed from where the parsonage now
stands TO the street They were for
officers. The parade ground WAS on
the fiat In front of these houses and
their commissary stood in front of
what is now the town hall In 1880
Pagosa was made town site by
proclamation of President Hayes, and
two years later Fort Lewis was moved
beyond Durango. where 1t still exists.
Pagosa was at this time little set
tIement on the south side of the San
Juan. with population Of about forty
was dry goods. grocery. hardware
and drug store combined. A school of
not over ten pupils was held in the
old commissary. Several small struc-
lures were put up near the spring
and used as private bath houses. The
stage brought mail and passengers
from Amargo, n. NJ. a distance OF
thirty miles. Gradually the town
grew and soon the principal part was
on the opposite side of the river.
At present Pagosa Springs is town
with a population between seven and
eight hundred. has a telephone sys-
TEN. electric lights and water works.
There are three hot wells, one of
which has a flow of one-half cubic
foot per second. The water is as hot
and mas as strong mineral properties
as the spring. In connection with
this well new cement bath house
is being built. There are two church
es and one large store which carries
a $60.000 stock, besides several small.
er ones. The new eigbt-room school
house is one of the late improvements
of the town. There are now about
226 pupils enrolled, A sawmill is be.
ing set up south of town which will
give employment TO over hundred
men when 1t is in operation.
Pagosa's future can not be measur.
ed by her growth during the past
twenty years. Through all these
years the same natural advantages
have existed but have been accessible
only in a roundabout way. Since the
train first reached town in 1899 the
population has nearly doubled. II
narrow gauge railroad which makes
connection has done SO
murf what NAV NO axna,, ri a hroad
gauge coming straight through from
Alamosa? Picture Pagasa as an ideal
resort: the Patterson and Buckles ho-
tel and bath house completed, a new
hotel and bath house erected on the
springs ground; Otis park transform
cd into pleasant drives. flower beds
and fountain 1t is true that the
growing lumber industry will rob our
country of one OF its chief cnarms,
the tall. inspiring pine trees, but at
least those on the hill where the res.
ervoir is situated have been reserved
for park. There. on top. In imagina-
ton see sanitarium where invalids
may still breathe the Strengthening
odor OF the pines
While Pagosa may develop to It's
greatest possibilities as a resort, 9th.
er interests and industries win grow
In proportion. Pagosa may not only
be shipping point for live stock, but
have large packing houses and tan.
merry OF its own.