Durango, Colorado, Delivers

Named a 2008 Top Town By True West

Durango is a railroad town—and it has been since 1880, when the Denver and Rio Grande built a depot on its line that went up the mountain to Silverton. The line is still running, of course, as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a major attraction for visitors to the Number 6 Top True Western Town.

The announcement comes in the January/February issue of True West Magazine, one newsstands January 15, 2008. The Number 1 Town is St. Joseph, Missouri.

Durango was named one of the National Trust’s 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, partly due to the town’s success in preserving its history. But Durango’s museums are also important—the Anasazi Heritage Center, the Center for Southwest Studies, the Animas Museum and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum maintain and tell the stories of the various cultures, events and individuals who made the area so remarkable.

“Durango is one of those places that does more than just tell the Old West story,” says True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell. “Visitors feel like they’re actually stepping back in time. Throw in the beautiful, natural scenery and its obvious why Durango is a special place.”

But locals aren’t resting on their laurels. Renovations are ongoing at the 1893 Power House, which will become the Durango Discovery Museum next year. The El Rancho Tavern was also renovated—and then partly rebuilt after a 2006 fire destroyed part of the building. Restoration continues on the Wallace Furniture and McKnight Jewelry buildings. Moreover, city fathers, business leaders and concerned citizens have drawn up plans to further economic development while preserving and maintaining Durango’s history for future generations. That promises to be a blueprint for similar towns across the country.

Past top town recipients: Helper, Utah (2007) and Sheridan, Wyoming (2006).

True West editors determine winners for this annual award based on criteria demonstrating how each town preserves its history through old buildings, museums and other institutions, events and promotion of historic resources.

The feature includes Towns to Watch for their good works in historic preservation and several legendary locales folks should know.

True West magazine is in its 55th year of leading the way in presenting the true stories of Old West adventure, history, culture and preservation. For subscriptions and more information, visit http://www.twmag.comor call 888-687-1881.

Contact: Mark Boardman

765-491-4063 mailto:mboardman@twmag.com