Louis L'Amour Stayed Here

Above, the Durango train passes the historic Strater Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Durango, Colorado is best known as the main depot for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trains. But is is also known for where author Louis L’Amour would stay and write many of his western novels.

He sayed at the historic Strater Hotel in downtown Durango. The Durango train passes the Strater Hotel when it leaves and arrives at the Durango train station.

According to the Strater Hotel official website:

The Strater’s tradition of hospitality has continued through the years. Although the townsfolk no longer retreat to the Strater in wintertime, a many noted personages have made the Strater their home away from home. For example, western author Louis L’Amour always asked for the room directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon, Room 222. He said that the honky-tonk music helped set the mood for his novels of the Old West. Indeed, a good part of his Sackett’s novels were written at the Strater. L’Amour and his family would spend a good part of the summer enjoying the local surroundings and sharing stories with the staff. Today, room 222 is known as the Louis L’Amour room.

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