The town grew fast.  Some 2,000 settlers poured into the area in response to newspaper ads that hailed Durango as the next Denver.  By 1881, 20 saloons had mushroomed in the town proper, a red-light district was growing along its western edge and 134 businesses had opened their doors.

Many of those original buildings constructed by Durango's pioneers are still used today.  They can be seen in Durango's two designated National Historic Districts, East Third Avenue ("The Boulevard") and Main Avenue ("Downtown.")

Churches were built along The Boulevard and the Christian community made a strong showing.  But, the feisty boomtown also had shoot-em-ups and showdowns, bar fights and brawls. 

In 1881, a hapless murderer was lynched by a mob, and a year later another man was sent to the hereafter in Durango's only legal hanging.  Two rival cattle gangs battled for supremacy in Durango's streets, and the town had its share of wounded sheriffs.

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad, which later was to become the Denver & Rio Grande Western provided transportation to Silverton to the north and to New Mexico to the south.  Area farmers, ranchers and lumber mills used the train to ship goods to market.

By the 1950s, however, the D&RGW had ceased all regular passenger service except on the Silverton line.  Today the narrow gauge train is one of Durango's chief attractions, with year-round operations including scenic winter train rides daily.  Today Durango is a community with a firm footing in the past and its heritage, yet with an eye to the future.