When it comes to occupations and booms that formed the Centennial State as we know it, there were no industries quite as vital as both mining and the railroad. Though mining came first and brought several new families to the area, railroads helped catapult Colorado to the future. Sadly, most of these once-prosperous companies are no more, but there are still several historic remembrances hiding throughout the state, including this unique building that is one of the last of its kind:
Located in small Park County is the unincorporated community of Como, which was founded in the mid-1800s as a coal mining settlement.
Like several other communities of its time, the mines quickly dried and the town turned to the railroad industry, becoming the location for the depot of the powerful Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad in 1879.
At its peak, Como was home to nearly 500 residents, plus a school, shops, churches, and other businesses that benefited both Como and the surrounding area.
Unfortunately, railroad service to the town ended in the mid-1930s and families began to move away from Como, leaving behind several buildings like the pictured Roundhouse.
Still standing today, the Como Roundhouse is one of the last of its kind in the country and still features its original hand-laid stonework from the Italian stonemasons that helped establish Como.
While the stonework has remained in tact over the years, the walls and roof have not, and underwent reconstruction in the 1980s in an effort to preserve it.
The Como Roundhouse, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, is located at 441-463 Boreas Pass Rd in Como.
Please see the South Park Rail Society's website for more information, as a museum is in the works!
For even more railroad fun, check out these 9 Epic Train Rides In Colorado That Will Give You An Unforgettable Experience!
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