Midland Terminal Railroad Roundhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Midland Terminal Railroad Roundhouse
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The roundhouse after its 2008-09 renovation as a commercial strip mall.
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 600 S. 21st St., Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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| Area | 3.4 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000600 |
| Added to NRHP | July 10, 1979 |
The Midland Terminal Railroad Roundhouse is a special old building in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It used to be a place where trains were fixed and stored. Imagine a big garage for locomotives! This historic building is located near U.S. Route 24 and 21st Street. It sits between Manitou Springs and downtown Colorado Springs. The building has a long and interesting history. It changed from a train repair shop to a pottery factory, and now to a modern shopping and business center.
Contents
A Home for Trains
A roundhouse is a large building, often shaped like a half-circle or a ring. It has many stalls, like parking spots, for locomotives (train engines). Each stall has a track leading into it. A big spinning platform, called a turntable, helps move the locomotives from one track to another. This design made it easy to repair and store many trains at once.
Building the Roundhouse
The Midland Terminal Railroad Roundhouse was built around 1887-1888. It was constructed by the Colorado Midland Railroad. This company was founded in 1883. The roundhouse was first located in a town called Colorado City. In 1917, Colorado City became part of Colorado Springs.
Changing Owners
The Colorado Midland Railroad faced problems during World War I. Train routes were changed, and the company shut down in 1917. It went bankrupt in 1918.
After this, the Midland Terminal Railway took over. They bought the part of the railroad from Colorado Springs to Divide, Colorado in 1921. The Midland Terminal Railway used the roundhouse until 1949, when they also closed down.
From Trains to Pottery
After the trains left, the roundhouse found a new purpose. In 1955, a famous company called Van Briggle Pottery bought the building. They made beautiful pottery.
A New Factory
Van Briggle Pottery changed the inside of the roundhouse. They added walls, offices, and areas for making pottery. They called it their Midland Plant. Van Briggle Pottery worked in the roundhouse for over 50 years!
However, the large size of the building became too much for them. In November 2008, Van Briggle Pottery moved to a smaller location. They reopened in May 2009.
A Historic Landmark
The roundhouse is a very important building. In 1979, it was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a special building that should be protected because of its history.
A Modern Transformation
After Van Briggle Pottery moved out, the roundhouse was sold again. A local developer named Griffis/Blessing bought it. They had a big plan to give the old building a new life.
Renovation and New Businesses
The developers spent $2.5 million to renovate the roundhouse. They removed the inside walls, showing the original stone walls and wooden frame. They added glass windows where the old train tracks used to be. The building became a modern shopping and business center.
In May 2009, Carmichael Training Systems moved in. This company coaches athletes, including famous cyclists. They use about 10,500 square feet of the 38,000-square-foot building. Their facility includes a training center called Endurance Sports Club.
In February 2012, construction began for Colorado Mountain Brewery. They opened their second location in the renovated roundhouse. Today, the Midland Terminal Railroad Roundhouse is a busy and important part of Colorado Springs. It shows how old buildings can be saved and used in new ways.
