Louis L 'Amour and The Strater Hotel

Above, smoke from the Durango train drifts towards The Strater Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

20+ years ago, my mom, daughter and I were touring around Forest Lawn - Glendale cemetery. While we were walking around, we came upon the final resting place of the famous western author Louis L 'Amour.

I have a few L 'Amour books. One of them was made into a movie, Hondo, starring John Wayne and Geraldine Page. 

Above, Louis L 'Amour.

L 'Amour did much of his writing in Durango, Colorado in room 222 (now named in his honor) at The Strater Hotel.

The Strater Hotel was built in 1887 in Downtown Durango. It is a 3-minute walk to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum.

According to Durango.com:

The Strater Hotel has been a second home to many special guests over the years. One of the most notable visitors was western author Louis L’Amour. L’Amour would take his family to Durango and stay in room 222, which is now named after him. The room was situated above the Diamond Belle Saloon. L’Amour credited the saloon for setting the mood of his Old West Novels, many of which were written inside the Strater hotel.

Today, guests can stay in room 222 and get a feeling for what inspired L’Amour in his writing career.

From LouisLamour.com:

Starting in 1966 he would take his family to spend the summer in Durango, CO, a place he had visited briefly with a mining buddy in the in the late 1920s. For over ten years they spent the month of August at the Strater Hotel, Louis dividing his time between writing in a corner room over the Diamond Belle Saloon and hiking in the La Plata or San Juan Mountains. In later years he participated in the Presidential Committee on Space, a Ute/Commanche peace treaty, and was on the National Board of the Library of Congress' Center for the Book.

Above, yours truly at The Strater Hotel's main entrance. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

When departing or arriving at the Durango train station, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trains pass The Strater Hotel.

What To See From Durango To Mesa Verde

Above, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With less than a month of summer vacation left, people may be scrambling to travel somewhere.

If those reading this are in this category, here's a suggestion. Visit Durango, Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park along with points in-between.

I recently took a trip to Durango and rode the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Along with riding the train to Silverton, we also went to the Bar D Chuckwagon and Show in Durango.

Above, yours truly stepping out of the historic Strater Hotel. It is number 10 on the list. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

There are other things to see and do in the southwest corner of Colorado and The Travel lists ten of them.

They begin with:

Traveling from Durango, Colorado, to Mesa Verde National Park will take around an hour by car – it’s so quick that most people just pass by some interesting attractions between these places. Travelers will pass by the communities of Hesperus and Mancos, plus the ghost town of Mayday. A driving tour from Durango to Mesa Verde will let guests enjoy the breeze of the La Plata Mountains and the towns' hospitality.

The adventure starts in tourist-friendly Durango, where a couple of attractions can be seen. The small town of Hesperus follows, famous for its ski area. Next is Mancos, dubbed the “Gateway to Mesa Verde.” That’s more than 50 miles of satisfying Colorado memories.

To read more, go here. 

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Above, the 9:30 Durango train departing for Cascade Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I headed into the old town section of Durango, Colorado to visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum and roundhouse.

As luck would have it, about ten minutes after my arrival, the 9:30 train to Cascade Canyon was about to depart from the Durango Station.

Above, the 9:30 train before departure from Durango Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was talking to one of the train workers and mention that I rode the train last year. I mentioned that the departure was from Rockwood. He said that was a cost-cutting measure and that they were able to get more trains out daily. He was glad the departures were returned to Durango Station but still going to Cascade Canyon. Says its easier to handle the trains from Durango Station.

In minutes, the 9:30 train headed out and before it did, I found myself a spot to shoot some pictures of it.

Above, Durango Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After that, I went over to the museum and looked over the exhibits. All of the engines on display are still operational except for one, No. 42. The museum is located in part of the roundhouse away from the the working area. During the summer, the working area is accessible to tourists, guided, of course.

After wandering around the museum, I went over to the gift shop in the station and bought a Blu-rays of the Durango train and a refrigerator magnet. I still have one that I bought back in the 1980s. It is no longer available.

I then wandered around the old town section of Durango and had breakfast at the Lone Spur Cafe. I had the chorizo scramble.

More photos from today:

Above, the entrance to the museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, after entering the museum, this is what visitors first see. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a cougar ready to pounce. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, engine No. 42, no longer operational. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, engine 478 is still operational, as is No. 486 below. Photos by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an elaborate model railroad. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, for my motorcyclist friends, an old Indian motorcycle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, interesting sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above and below, outside of the roundhouse. Photos by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a vintage Texaco pick-up truck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another view of engine No. 478. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, outside after leaving the museum and heading back to Durango Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Charles Bradshaw Jr., who saved the Durango train. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the main entrance to the Strater Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Status

Above, the Silverton train passing the Strater Hotel, where Louis L'Amour used to stay and write. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With a planned trip to Colorado for late July that includes a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, I have been monitoring the train's website for any updates for when bookings resume.

Thus far, nothing has been announced, but perhaps as we get closer to mid-to-late-June, things will open up.

According to the train's website (as things currently stand):

COVID-19 FAQ's and Rebooking Information 

IMPORTANT CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL CUSTOMERS: 

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will be extending the dates of our closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  All excursion and event trains have been annulled through June 22, 2020 or until further notice. D&SNGR is working closely with state, county, and local regulatory organizations to outline a plan to reopen and begin train operations soon which will place the health and safety of our customers and community at the forefront Please note, we will continue to provide updates to opening as soon as enough information is available to us.  The Durango railroad depot, museum, and gift shops remain closed during this time.  

Any guests who currently hold reservations through June 22, will be notified and will receive a full refund automatically. If customers are interested in rebooking at this time, leaving credit open for a ride later in the year, or transferring value to a gift certificate valid through 2021, simply email us at info@durangotrain.com or call 970-247-2733 and we will be happy to assist. Our Customer Service team is ready to serve you or you can go online to booking at durangotrain.com.  We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your continued patience as we navigate through the weeks and months ahead. 

While we remain optimistic that we will return to service in June, our start to the summer 2020 season may look different than currently scheduled due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.  We appreciate your patience as we work through planning to safely return to services this summer. 

For more information about train operations, cancellation of reservations and rebooking information, please call 970-247-2733.

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.

 To read more, go here.