National Register of Historic Places listings in La Plata County, Colorado facts for kids
This page lists some really cool and important places in La Plata County, Colorado, that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of buildings, sites, and areas that are super old or have a big story to tell about American history. These places are protected so people can learn from them for many years to come!
There are 16 special spots in La Plata County that have made it onto this important list. Let's explore some of them!
Historic Places in La Plata County
Cool Old Buildings in Durango
- Colorado Ute Power Plant
* This old power plant is located by the Animas River in Durango, Colorado. It was added to the list in 1983. Power plants like this were very important for bringing electricity to towns a long time ago.
- Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Locomotive No. 315
* Imagine a giant, old train engine! This one, Locomotive No. 315, is a historic piece of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. It's found in Durango and was added to the list in 2008. Trains like this helped connect towns and move goods across the country.
- Durango High School
* This isn't just any school! The old Durango High School building, located on East 12th Street, became a historic place in 2001. It's a great example of school buildings from the past.
- East Third Avenue Historic Residential District
* This whole area on East 3rd Avenue in Durango is special! It's a neighborhood with many old houses built between the 1880s and 1930s. It was added to the list in 1984 because it shows how people lived and what homes looked like a long time ago.
- Main Avenue Historic District
* Main Avenue in Durango is another entire historic district! This means many of the buildings along this street are old and important. It was recognized in 1980 and helps us see what a busy town center looked like in the past.
- Newman Block
* The Newman Block is a specific building on Main Avenue in Durango. It was added to the list in 1979. Old buildings like this often housed shops or offices and were central to town life.
- Ochsner Hospital
* This old hospital building on 5th Avenue in Durango was listed in 1995. It tells a story about how healthcare was provided in the past.
- Rochester Hotel
* The Rochester Hotel, on East 2nd Avenue in Durango, became a historic site in 1996. Hotels like this were important places for travelers and visitors in earlier times.
- Smiley Junior High School
* Another historic school building! Smiley Junior High School, on East 3rd Avenue, was added to the list in 2002. It's a reminder of how schools have changed over the years.
Ancient Sites to Explore
- Durango Rock Shelters Archeology Site
* This site near Durango is a very important archaeological area. It was added to the list in 1985. Archaeological sites are places where scientists find clues about how ancient people lived, sometimes thousands of years ago!
- Spring Creek Archeological District
* Similar to the Durango Rock Shelters, this district near Bayfield, Colorado is another archaeological treasure. It was listed in 1983. These sites help us understand the history of the earliest people in Colorado.
- Ute Mountain Ute Mancos Canyon Historic District
* This large historic district is part of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe's land. It was recognized in 1972 and contains many ancient sites, including cliff dwellings and other structures built by early Native American people. It's a very important place for understanding their history and culture.
Other Interesting Historic Places
- Durango-Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad
* This isn't just a train; it's a whole historic railroad line! It runs between Durango and Silverton and was added to the list way back in 1966. This railroad is famous for its beautiful mountain views and for being a working piece of history.
- La Plata County Fairgrounds
* The La Plata County Fairgrounds, on Main Avenue in Durango, became a historic site in 1991. Fairgrounds are places where communities gather for events, fairs, and celebrations, and this one has a long history of doing just that!
