Denver and Rio Grande Depot (Montrose, Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Denver and Rio Grande Depot
|
|
Building in 2011
|
|
 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 20 N. Rio Grande Ave., Montrose, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | between 1908 and 1912 |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002308 |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1982 |
The Denver and Rio Grande Depot, also called the Montrose Railroad Depot, is a very old and important train station in Montrose, Colorado. This building is special because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since the 1970s, it has been home to the Montrose County Historical Museum, a place where you can learn about the history of Montrose County.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Depot
When Trains First Arrived
The Denver and Rio Grande Railway first came to Montrose in 1882. Just three years later, in 1885, Montrose was called the "most important station" west of Gunnison City. This shows how important the railway was to the town!
Building the Current Depot
The train station you see today was built between 1908 and 1912. It replaced an older building that was there before. This new station was busy, serving both people traveling by train and goods being shipped. From Montrose, the railway branched off to places like Ouray and Crested Butte.
A Historic Landmark Today
The Denver and Rio Grande Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 3, 1982. It was recognized for its beautiful design and its role in transportation history. Around 1980, the building became the home of the Montrose County Historical Museum. Part of the building was also used by the Continental Trailways bus system for a while.
Design and Location: What Makes it Special?
Where is the Depot Located?
The depot is right in downtown Montrose. People often call it an "architectural bright spot" because it looks so nice.
What Does it Look Like?
The building has a special style called Mission Revival. You can spot this style by a few cool features:
- Arches: It has arcades, which are rows of arches.
- Tile Roof: The roof is made of reddish-brown terra cotta tiles.
- Curvy Walls: It has curvy walls at the top, called parapets.
The depot is a one-story building. It's mostly rectangular, with main sides facing the street (east) and the train tracks (west). You can also see two chimneys sticking up from the roof. The bottom part of the outside walls, about 48 inches (1.2 meters) high, is made of concrete. It looks like a special paneling called a wainscot. Above that, the walls are covered in rough concrete stucco.
Past and Present Surroundings
There used to be a short train track, called a spur track, south of the station. This track is now a parking lot.
