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heavy machinery, a large work force, transportation, and processing mills (Husband 1984: 20, 27). By
<br />1874, stimulated by the mining activity, small communities at the gateways into the San Juan Mountains
<br />were springing up in Silverton, Lake City, Del Norte, Parrott City, and Animas City. The mining
<br />operations were in desperate need of mills, smelters, and efficient transportation, problems that were
<br />cured by the railroads. Due to disagreements with the inhabitants of Animas City, the Denver & Rio
<br />Grande (D&RG) railroad created the town of Durango in 1880 to use as a railroad hub, which was also
<br />strategically located near substantial coal deposits. By 1882, the D&RG linked Antonito in the San Luis
<br />Valley with Pagosa Springs, Durango, and Silverton. Within several months, the population of Durango
<br />swelled to 2,500 people and the town became a financial, business, and agricultural center that supported
<br />the regional mining operations. Gold had lured the miners into southwestern Colorado, but silver was the
<br />primary source of mineral wealth generated, with gold, copper, lead, and zinc recovered as by products.
<br />Silver mining was dealt a permanent and devastating blow throughout Colorado during the market crash
<br />and depression beginning in 1893 (Smith 1996: 234-246).
<br />The need for substantial coal mining in the region was initiated by the expanding railroad system. The La
<br />Plata Coal Field, including parts of La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, and San Miguel Counties, became
<br />developed during this period. Further economic stimulation came from the lode mining operations, which
<br />required a major fuel source for their extensive smelting needs. Coke oven operations soon appeared in
<br />Rico and Durango, followed by similar ventures in nearby Hesperus and Perins. By 1920, the value of
<br />coal production in the region surpassed that of mineral mining. A depression in coal related production
<br />occurred from 1923 to 1945 throughout the nation (Husband 1984: 41-42).
<br />Also fueled by the mining rush, ranches and farms sprung up throughout the western valleys of Colorado
<br />during the late 1860s to early 1870s. The cattlemen practiced open range grazing and the industry
<br />boomed along with the towns they helped sustain. The first herds were Shorthorn cattle, but within a
<br />short period, more hardy Hereford cattle replaced them. The extremely harsh winter of 1885-1886 nearly
<br />devastated the cattle industry, though it quickly bounced back. The inevitable end of open range grazing
<br />began in 1891, when National Forest reserves were created, in part, to regulate grazing on public lands
<br />and to address watershed concerns. The cattle industry experienced grave difficulties with farmers and
<br />their fences, as well as competition with Hispanic and Basque sheepherders. Open range grazing did not
<br />end until 1934, when the Taylor Grazing Act protected unappropriated public lands. While many
<br />cattlemen turned to sheep herding during the cattle price depression prior to World War I, soon after
<br />World War II, the cattle and sheep markets both fell drastically and the industry never fully recovered
<br />(Husband 1984: 71-72). While cattle and sheep are still raised on many farms and ranches in rural
<br />portions of La Plata County, very few operations are completely dependent on livestock for income.
<br />Following World War Il, the regional economy has become increasingly dependent on tourism and the
<br />energy extraction industry, primarily oil and natural gas production. During the present survey, no
<br />historic components were identified.
<br />4.2 Research Objective
<br />The survey was structured specifically to meet one objective. The study sought to determine if any
<br />cultural properties considered eligible or potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of
<br />Historic Places (NRHP) were located within the project area. On a broader scale, the inventory results
<br />enhance our general archaeological knowledge of sites within the region. Collectively, small-scale survey
<br />data may assist in understanding population distributions throughout the prehistoric and historic periods
<br />An Intensive CRI for GCC Energy's Proposed Groundwater Monitoring Wells
<br />on State and Private Lands in La Plata County, CO
<br />SEAS 16-098 October 2016
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