National and State Register

Denver & Rio Grande Railroad South Fork Water Tank

Rio Grande County

The 1881 tank provided water for countless steam locomotives from its construction in 1881 until the end of steam locomotive operations in 1956. Tanks of identical design, materials and construction were built throughout the D&RG system in the last two decades of the 19th century. 

A black and white photo of the round tank with fading paint, and ladder on the right.

Denver & Rio Grande Railroad South Fork Water Tank (2001 photograph.)

Only a handful of these structures survive on the D&RG, and this tank is the only surviving example along the 66-mile Creede Branch.  Listed under Railroads in Colorado Multiple Property Submission.

State Register

Address

Near US Hwy. 160 at South Fork

Site Number

5RN.352

National Register