Como Roundhouse, Railroad Depot and Hotel Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Como Roundhouse, Railroad Depot and Hotel Complex
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The roundhouse.
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off US 285, Como, Colorado |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1879-1881 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003880 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 1983 |
The Como Roundhouse, Railroad Depot and Hotel Complex is a group of old buildings in Como, Colorado. These buildings were once a very important part of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad. They include a roundhouse, a train station (depot), and a hotel.
Contents
A Busy Railroad Town
In June 1879, the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad (DSPPR) reached Como. This railroad used a special type of track called a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge. This meant the tracks were closer together than regular train tracks.
Como quickly became a busy railroad town. It was a key stop for trains traveling through the mountains.
The Roundhouse Story
The Como Roundhouse was built in 1881. It is believed that skilled Italian stonemasons, who had settled in the Como area, built this strong stone structure.
A roundhouse is a special building where trains are stored and repaired. It has a circular shape with many stalls for locomotives. The original stone part of the roundhouse is still standing today. In the 1980s, people worked hard to fix its walls and roof to keep it safe.
The Depot: A Hub of Activity
The Como Depot, or train station, was built in 1879. Soon after, it was made bigger into its current L-shape. The depot was where passengers bought tickets and waited for trains. It was also where goods were loaded and unloaded.
Today, the depot has been restored. It is now used as a museum during certain times of the year. Visitors can learn about the history of the railroad in Como.
The South Park Hotel
The first hotel on this site was called the Gilman. It opened its doors on New Year's Eve in 1880. This hotel was important for travelers and railroad workers.
The Gilman Hotel was made larger in 1882 and 1883. Later, in 1885, a hotel company took it over. They made even more improvements to the building. Sadly, in November 1896, the Gilman Hotel burned down completely.
However, parts of the old hotel were saved. Some of its foundations and bricks were used to build a new hotel. The railroad called this new building the South Park Hotel. This is the hotel building you can see today.
The End of an Era
The last train traveled through Como in April 1937. The train tracks were removed the very next year. This marked the end of the railroad era in Como for many years.
But the story didn't end there! Today, some train track has been put back. It connects the Depot and the Roundhouse. A special locomotive, named Klondike Kate, now lives in the Roundhouse. It helps keep the history of Como's railroad alive.
