The 1882 Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Locomotive No. 278 and its Tender represent one type of early motive power reflecting the evolution of the railroad’s growth.  As the fortunes of the railroad improved, expanded operations in the mountainous area of western Colorado required heavier and more powerful locomotives.  No. 278 is an excellent example of 2-8-0 consolidation locomotive that came into service.

Built in 1886, Denver & Rio Grande Western Caboose No. 0577 reflects caboose design and construction to meet the D&RG’s expanding needs.  The car continued in service until its retirement in December 1952.

Associated with the freight train operations of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Boxcar No. 3132 played a significant role in helping to develop the great oil and gas fields of the Paradox and San Juan basins of western Colorado and northwestern New Mexico in the decades following World War II. Boxcar No.

Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) Maintenance of Way (MOW) Box Outfit Car No.

Bridge No. 239 formerly consisted of four spans on the Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge line through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  

Crossing the Dolores River in a remote location just east of Bedrock, the 1952 steel rigid connected Pennsylvania through truss structure’s single span runs for 129 feet.  The bridge was designed by the Colorado Department of Highways, fabricated by Midwest Steel & Iron Works, and built by Gardner Construction Company. 

Constructed in 1882, the Bedrock Store played an important role in the commercial history of the Paradox Valley.  In the 1800s, it served the local ranching community as a general merchandise store and U.S. Post Office.

Monument Lake Park Building and Hatchery Complex was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) and is significant for its association with social programs the WPA and CCC provided under the New Deal legislation, the conservation of its aquaculture, entertainment and recreation it offered to visitors in its zoo and other accommodations.  Additionally the complex is architecturally important for its Pueblo Revival and WPA Rus

A 1977 excavation resulted in the analysis of over 600 artifacts that revealed the site had functioned from approximately AD 350 to AD 1400 as a hunting and foraging station.

Rourke Ranch played a significant role in the settlement and agricultural development of the Purgatoire River area and continues to reflect the interaction of its Hispanic and Anglo-American settlers.  Beginning in the early 1880s, brothers Eugene and James Rourke began acquiring the lands of departing Hispanic farmers and sheep growers, eventually amassing one of the largest cattle ranches in the area.