The Mission Revival style depot provided both passenger and freight services at this important rail junction.  The southern branch of the D&RG out of Montrose serviced Ouray and connected with the Rio Grande Southern at Ridgway.

Elements of various styles are represented to varying degrees in the 1927 Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge on the building, including Mission Revival, Pueblo Deco, Gothic Revival, and even Classical Revival and Craftsman. 

Constructed over a period of several years (1934-1938), the five-mile road typifies National Park Service landscape design projects undertaken during the Great Depression.

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad Derrick Car is a rare surviving example of one type of maintenance of way car constructed for use on a narrow-gauge railroad.  Derrick cars of this size assisted in the construction of small bridges and moving rail ties and track.

The Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) Railroad Stock Car No.

The Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) Railroad Stock Car No. 5620 is important for its role in agriculture, particularly ranching.  The raising of livestock, especially sheep, was an important activity in Colorado and the American West.  The railroad moved livestock between summer and winter pastures, a seasonal operation typical of high-country ranching, and also delivered livestock to market.  Livestock operations took place in various locations around the state, in particular the southern San Luis Valley and the Gunnison area, including Cimarron-Curecanti.

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.