Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year.
Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed and the train began hauling both passengers and freight.
From the very beginning, the railroad was promoted as a scenic route for passenger service although the line was constructed primarily to haul mine ores, both gold and silver, from the San Juan Mountains. It is estimated over $300 million in precious metals has been transported over this route.
By 1885 the population of Silverton had grown to 1100 and Otto Mears completed the toll road to Ouray and additional narrow gauge track out of Silverton was laid down in 1887. In 1893, 10 large mines in the Silverton district were forced to close when silver prices dropped from $1.05/oz to $.63/oz. Just three years later the Yankee Girl and Guston Mines played out. In Durango, the fire of 1889 virtually destroyed downtown and the first automobile arrived by train in 1902. By 1906, Mesa Verde was designated a National Park, increasing the potential for tourism promotions.
Throughout the next twenty years the railroad faced many challenges; slides, floods, snow, war and financial instability. When the US Government entered WW I, it assumed operation of the railroad. Shortly after resuming control of railroad operations, the D&RGW reorganized due to financial difficulties. Silverton suffered devastating effects from the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 – 10 percent of the population died in just six weeks! In addition, the Gold King Mine closed, the Sunnyside Mine temporarily ceased operations for almost ten years and the Silverton Railroad closed.
With the advent of WW II, the US Government requisitioned narrow gauge equipment to use in Alaska and the smelter in Durango reopened to process uranium for use in the war. The smelter continued to process uranium instead of silver into the late 1940’s due to the Cold War. By 1947 the Silverton branch was in danger of being abandoned. A determined staff stepped in and helped to promote tourism keeping the line alive. Then Hollywood discovered Durango and the railroad. Over the next ten years several movies were filmed in the area showcasing the train: Ticket to Tomahawk, Across the Wide Missouri, Denver & Rio Grande, Viva Zapata and Around the World in 80 Days.
During the latter part of the 1960s, the Durango-Silverton was registered as a National Historic Landmark and was awarded as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. In 1969 the D&RGW abandoned the tracks south of Durango isolating the line and leaving the future of the line in question. Hollywood continued its fascination with the area and the railroad with the filming of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. As the railroad prepared to celebrate its 100th birthday, Charles E. Bradshaw, Jr. purchased the Silverton branch and with the restoration process complete, engine #481 returned to service after 20 years in retirement.
Throughout the 1980s, the D&SNGRR continued to build on the scenic tourist railroad industry. Engines and coaches began to be weatherized for winter use; a third train to Silverton was added to the schedule along with an alternative fourth train to Cascade Canyon Wye; major track reconstruction occurred as nearly ten thousand ties were replaced. Locomotives #497 and #480 were restored and returned to service, the #497 being the only K-37 to run on the line and the innovative RailCamp was built for use in the summer. In 1985 the D&SNGRR purchased the Silverton Depot, returning it to service. By 1986 there were four trains running to Silverton with a fifth running to Cascade Canyon Wye!
Today the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continues to provide year-round train service, operating a historical train with rolling stock indigenous to the line. The locomotives used to pull today’s train remain 100% coal-fired, steam-operated. The locomotives are 1923-25 vintage and are maintained in original condition. The coaches each feature bathroom facilities and are heated during the winter months for passenger comfort. Open gondola cars provide a panoramic view of the mountains. Concessions are available on every train. The Durango & Silverton is owned and operated by American Heritage Railways.
The VFW Post 4031 is currently offering VFW Branded Hats in various colors, Blue and Red Mens and Women's Polos, Long Sleeve VFW Red Shirts, and VFW Blue Hoodies. These offerings are offered at a discount from ordering from the VFW Store. These offerings are also available at the Post Canteen. You can pay by credit card on the linked page. Get some now!
We at VFW Post 4031 honor each of our members. We encourage you to join, renew, or transfer your membership to VFW Post 4031. By joining or continuing your membership you are making a statement that you support your fellow veterans in La Plata County. The linked page also allows you to download an application, a membership form, or to renew your membership by credit card. If you have questions please contact us at any time.
By becoming a sponsor of VFW Post 4031, you become one of the supporters of our La Plata County supporters of veterans. In return for your sponsorship we will advertise your company on our website, on our outdoor sign, and in other ways. By sponsoring one of our events you will help us make each event special and more meaningful to our veterans. In return for sponsoring one of our events we will make it known that you support our La Plata County veterans.
VFW Post 4031 offers rental of one or more of our facilities for your event. The link here will send you to our webpage describing our Hall Rental Opportunities and where you can also download our brochure.
Updated March 22nd, 2023These Are The Latest Things Happening Around the Post
Please Remember to Renew Your Membership
We miss our expired members!! If your membership has expired or is about to expire please renew your membership at VFW Post 4031. You can renew your membership by going to our Membership Page by clicking on the Renew Membership button below.and then follow the instructions contained there. Then send a check to Quartermaster VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Avenue, Durango, CO., come into the Post and paying in person, or pay by credit card. You can pay using a credit card by clicking on the button below.
You can now make a donation to VFW Post 4031 to sponsor one of our key events. Your generous donation will make one or more of our events more special and meaningful to our La Plata County veterans and the community at large. The next VFW Post 4031 event is our Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Dinner. Click on the thumbnail below to see a larger image of the VFW Post 4031 Vietnam Veteran Commemoration Flyer.Sponsor an event now by clicking on the Sponsorship button below.
Join the Adaptive Sports Association for Veterans Outdoors Ski and Ride Days. This event is free of charge for military veterans with a disability rating. The next Veterans Outdoor Day is March 24th. Reservations are required. Call the mountain office at (970) 385-2163 on email program@asadurango.com. Click on the thumbnail below to see a larger version of their flyer.
VFW Post 4031 will hold its annual Vietnam Veterans 50th Year Commemoration Dinner on March 29th between 5:00PM and 9:00PM. This dinner is held in conjunction with the National Vietnam Veterans Commemoration 50th anniversary celebration. In particular this year's event commemorates 50 years since 1973. The dinner will be catered by Serious Texas BBQ and will feature some "Serious Eats”. A & L Coors has generously agreed to supply beer again for the event. The Southwest Colorado Community Foundation, Mr. Craig Fairchild, Dalton Ranch Golf Club, and Star Liquors have also donated to support the dinner. Please consider adding your donation to support this event. See the event donation description in an announcement above. Click on the thumbnail below to see a larger version of the Flyer for the event.
On March 30th between 12:00PM and 1:30PM, the Post is pleased to sponsor a new mental health program called COMET™ (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory). The aim is to teach community members how to intervene when they encounter someone in a vulnerable mental state and help shift them towards a place of wellness. The program is designed to fill a gap in existing mental health resources, which often focus on crisis intervention, leaving many people with undiagnosed distress, moderate depression or anxiety. COMET™ aligns with the cultural values of neighbor helping neighbor, where communities are their own best resource. The program aims to empower friends and neighbors to be more prepared to support others’ mental health needs before a crisis occurs. It trains community members on how to initiate a supportive interaction for potentially emotional conversations using a simple, conversational seven-question guide. The course will be led by Anna Denali, Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator, San Juan Basin Public Health.We are asking any one who wishes to attend, to RSVP for the event. The RSVP is just to get some idea how many people are going to attend. Click on the icon below to fill out an RSVP .The National VFW has announced the themes for both the Voice of Democracy and the Patriot's Pen scholarship programs. These Youth Scholarships are one of the most important programs the VFW sponsors. The theme of the Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest is "What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy." The VFW National Voice do Democracy Winner receives $35,00.00 in scholarship funds. The theme of the Patriot's Pen essay contest is "How are you inspired by America." The VFW National Patriot’s Pen winner receives $5,000.00 in scholarship funds. Both these contests are due to VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Avenue, Durango, CO. 81301. The essays are due no later than October 31, 2023. Click on the appropriate icon below to go to that scholarship page. Information and a link to the entry form download are contained on those pages.
VFW Post 4031 is sponsoring a Mind, Body, Spirit Fair on Saturday April 22nd between 9AM and 3PM. For more information contact CJ Marten at weipcj@gmail.com. Click on the thumbnail below to see a larger version of the flyer for this event.
Jill Bauer, member of our Auxiliary and the owner of Uptown Hair Salon located at 2929 Main Avenue is offering free haircuts to veterans the first Monday of every month. Appointments are necessary. Veterans should call Uptown Hair Salon at (970) 759-8379 to book your free haircut. Click on the thumbnail below to see a large version of the Free Haircuts Flyer.VFW Post 4031 has added a Suggestion Box to our website. We welcome your suggestions on how to improve your Post. You can find the suggestion box on the News top menu and then scroll down. We will use these suggestions to improve our ability to better serve our La Plata County Veterans. You can also click on the icon below to go to the Suggestion Box.
We Need Volunteers!The lifeblood of VFW Post 4031 are its volunteers. Without our volunteers we cannot accomplish our mission to support veterans. The following is a list of things for which we need volunteers to help us.
- The Post needs someone to manage the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Programs.
- Color Guard/Honor Guard Members
- Help with the Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Dinner Event
- Members of the Public Relations Committee
- On Line Store Support staff
If you are interested in volunteering for one of these jobs please E-Mail Jeff Punches by clicking on the icon below.
Thank You Sponsors!!In June 2022 the Post ran an Advertising and Sponsorship Drive. As a result of the Drive the following sponsors are helping VFW Post 4031 achieve its goal.
Sponsors who have sponsored us three yearsDalton Ranch Golf ClubStar LiquorsSponsors who have sponsored us two years.Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge RailroadWells GroupSerious Texas BBQA & L CoorsNew SponsorsDK Mortgage Norm Phillips TeamDurango Harley DavidsonLa Plata County RepublicansSouthwest Colorado Community FoundationMr. Craig Fairchild
Veterans Benefit Breakfast
The Veterans Benefit Breakfast is one of the most important events that VFW Post 4031 undertakes. The proceeds from these breakfasts directly support veterans in need. The next Veterans Benefit Breakfast will be held on Sunday April 2nd between 9:00 AM and 11:00AM. Great food and the public is welcome. Here is a link to our Veterans Benefit Breakfast Page. Click on the thumbnail below to see a large version of the Veterans Benefit Breakfast Flyer.
The next Veterans Relief Committee Monthly Meeting will be held on Monday March 20th at 5:30 PM.
Veterans Relief Committee News
The Veterans Relief Committee has disbursed more than $20,000.00 in 2022 and more than $1,000.00 in 2023 to help needy La Plata County veterans. For more information about Veterans Relief click here.
Future Planned EventsVeterans Relief Committee events in the upcoming months include the following. The Veterans Relief Committee along with the Elks Lodge 507 and American Legion Post 28 are hosting several events in the coming months including a Taco Tuesday featuring an Enchilada Plate on March 28th at the Elks, a VRC Fish Fry on April 11th at the VFW , and the Annual Veterans River Float on June 25th. To see the flyers for these events click this link.
The next Public Relations Committee Monthly Meeting will be held April 18th at 1:00PM. The PRC meeting will normally be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Public Relations Committee News
The PRC is planning a number of events in the coming months including a Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Day Dinner on March 29th, 2023, a Membership Drive in May, a Legacy Life Membership Drive in May, and a Sponsorship Drive in June. See the entry above to see the flyer for the event and for how you can donate to this event. As always the PRC welcomes all members to seek new members for the Post and the Auxiliary. Ask Jeff Punches how you can help. Contact Jeff at (503) 961-3201.
The Post 4031 final January 2023 Post Meeting Minutes and previous months as well as the February 2023 Post Draft Minutes are available for reading on the Members Only page. Additionally all the Public Relations Committee minutes are always available for reading. Go to the Log In button at the right of the menu above, click on Members Only and then log in.
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