Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce

It took five and a half years, over $165,000 and hundreds of hours of volunteer time, but the Buena Vista Depot is now well on its way to becoming the community asset her champions have always envisioned.

The Denver, Leadville and Gunnison Depot, formerly of the South Park Line and now known locally as the Buena Vista Depot, was damaged by fire in November 2002. It was donated to Buena Vista Heritage by Riaan and Marjorie van Niekerk of Woodland Brook Cabins and was moved to McPhelemy Park in June 2003. The relocation of the building from San Juan Avenue to its current location was likely the most-watched spontaneous community event of that year.

The depot, as well as a caboose that was donated in August 2005, sits on land leased from the Town of Buena Vista. A year-long historic structure assessment provided documentation of the building's original structure and history.

Work on the site and exterior by contractor Older Than Dirt Construction of Salida has been underway since last July, including roofing, reconstruction of the chimneys and platform, repair and restoration of most of the exterior siding, and repair and restoration of windows and doors. Painting of the exterior was completed two weeks ago. All that remains to be done are stone veneer on the west side foundation and the completion of the south end of the platform.

Historical accuracy is of the utmost importance to BV Heritage. For instance, although placing the building so that the platform side faces the town lake may have increased its utility, instead the building was sited facing east, just as it was back in the 1920s. The depot was originally located just west of where New Bee's now sits on East Main. Likewise, although the building has many carpentry details that would seem to call for bolder paint detailing of the trim, the depot paint scheme is based on microscopic paint analysis. The result, historically accurate for this structure, is typical of a commercial building for a cash-strapped railroad line.

BV Heritage is eager for restoration to continue unabated until complete. Scheduled to begin later this year, Phase II will focus on restoring the interior of the building as closely as possible to its original appearance and configuration. Funds for the second phase have been awarded by the State Historical Fund, the Boettcher Foundation, Chaffee County, The DSP&P Historical Society, The Town of Buena Vista and Wilderness Aware, as well as dozens of individuals.

Donations for the next phase of restoration - which focuses on furnishings and exhibits - or of railroad memorabilia can be sent to BVH at P.O. Box 1414, Buena Vista, CO 81211.

When restoration is complete, the structure will be used as a railroad transportation museum featuring the three railroads in this area's history: the Colorado Midland, Denver South Park & Pacific (DSP&P), and Denver & Rio Grande.

Buena Vista Heritage, a nonprofit organization, owns the old courthouse museum on Main Street, the Buena Vista Depot and caboose in McPhelemy Park, Turner Farm, and the St. Elmo Schoolhouse and Town Hall/Jail Site. All of these properties are in need of volunteers for operation and special events. For more information, visit buenavistaheritage.org or call 719-395-8458.