This Historic Colorado Hotel Takes Visitors Back to the Wild West
Colorado has changed a lot since the late 1800s. With towns that were originally made up of miners, and a wild west vibe, several reminders around the state still exist to take us back to what once was.
One of these relics is The Strater Hotel in Durango. Not only is The Strater one of the most historic hotels in the country and a living history museum, it also serves as a storybook to Colorado's past. The Strater was first constructed back in 1887, and quickly became a popular winter destination – even for town locals, who would close up their own homes and move in for the winter. During this time, it was the main place for Durango's social gatherings.
View this post on Instagram#Throwback Thursday to 1899 when #TheOfficeSpiritorium was a #Barbershop #TBT
In 1893, the popular hotel went through a change in ownership, and with the turn of the century, became a more refined establishment too. The Roaring Twenties through the early 1980s brought about more change for The Strater, as a new organization took over managing and focused on giving the property a refresh with newer, more modern renovations. It was during these years that the Victorian-era furniture was first brought in, and has since amassed into a huge collection.
View this post on Instagram
93 Unique Storied Rooms If you are sitting comfortably in room 222, you are in the presence of a legacy. This is the room where Louis L’Amour wrote many of his Sackett series novels, typing at the very same drop-leaf table in room 222. Louis enjoyed this room, as he could type while the ragtime piano below played into the night, and as his children Beau and Angelique slept peacefully in the room next door. In the years since his death in 1988 over one hundred and twenty million copies of his books have been sold and we have the privilege of having a copy of each in pristine condition in room 222. Come stay with us and feel the history come alive. #durango #strater #louislamour A post shared by Strater Hotel (@straterhotel) on
Since 1957, the hotel's Diamond Belle Saloon has been a staple of the Old West, attracting notable guests from near and far. To this day, people still enjoy bellying up to the Belle, where talented Ragtime pianists frequently play and during the summer, they even host Old West Shootout reenactments.
The hotel's current president has been in charge since 1983, and has done a fantastic job of preserving the hotel's historical charm, while also making it an appealing tourist attraction for locals and visitors alike.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Strater Hotel (@straterhotel) on
You can read more about The Strater Hotel's interesting history here.
More From K99
