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(rshsdepot) Kremmling, CO



From the Sky-Hi Daily News.  
 
Photo available at: 
_http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20080811/NEWS/971270668/1079&ParentProf
ile=1067_ 
(http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20080811/NEWS/971270668/1079&ParentProfile=1067) 
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Kremmling Train Depot on track to be saved
 
Money is being raised to move the Kremmling Train Depot in an effort to  save 
it for its historical value.
 
So far, enough money has been pledged only to move the building: Union  
Pacific Railroad, $15,000; Grand County commissioners, $10,000; and Grand County  
Historical Association, $5,000.
 
More than 400 people signed a petition in favor of keeping the structure  and 
raised more than $1,000, said Karen Wischnack, Grand County Historical  
Association executive director.
 
However, the association says considerably more money is needed to restore  
the building and to move other buildings and utilities to make room for the  
depot at its future site. 
 
The association still doesn’t have possession of the depot, said Yvonne  
Knox, association president. 
 
“We have not accepted the building yet,” she said. “Progress is being made  
toward saving the train depot and moving it to the historical site … We do not 
 have the money in hand — we don’t have anything in writing.
 
“We have a proposal from a house-moving company and it hasn’t been  
officially accepted yet, but it is in progress … Everything is moving along.  We’re 
still very hopeful of being able to save the train depot.”
 
In addition, she said the railroad has been “very cooperative."
 
The railroad recently removed asbestos roof shingles from the building, but  
the association will have to install an “ice shield roof” before new shingles 
 are relayed. Lead in the building’s paint will also be removed, and the 
building  will need another coat of paint.
 
“Any support the community wants to give we’re still willing to accept,”  
Knox said. “We’re still crossing our fingers.”
 
Kremmling Town Manager Ted Soltis said that while the town is short of  
funds, it’s fortunate when residents come together to make things happen.
 
“What makes a community successful is a variety of people working  together,”
 he said. “This is the real community. I think this is an asset we  have over 
some of the resort communities.”
 
Soltis helped coordinate and negotiate deals, while brainstorming ways to  
save the depot.
 
“Whatever assistance they (the association) need, we’re going to provide,”  
he said. “History is a very important part of our community … This is really  
exciting.” 
 
The association also hopes to attain grant money, he added.
 
Grand County Commissioner Gary Bumgarner supports saving the depot.
 
“It’s always good to preserve history so the next generation can see a  
little bit of it,” he said. 
 
Plus, he added, some railroad and history buffs will plan their vacation  
around visiting the site.
 
“It’s one more reason to stop by Kremmling,” Bumgarner said.
 
The railroad arrived in Kremmling and the depot was built in 1906 at the  
corner of Park Avenue and Fourth Street. This is the last remaining frame  DNW&P 
(Denver Northwestern and Pacific Railway) depot of this floor plan. 
 
“It’s the last of its kind,” Wischnack said. “We are going to move it to  
the Heritage Park Complex, and we will call it the Heritage Park Educational  
Center.”
 
The cost to simply move the Depot is about $30,000. 
 
“There’s a lot more behind the scenes costs, which $30,000 is just the  
beginning,” Wischnack added. “Our jail and fishing cabin have to be moved in  
order to make room for the Depot. It’s quite extensive work that needs to be  
done that we would really like to see happen.” 
 
Workers will also have to relocate the electrical lines, phone lines and  
fencing.
The Union Pacific Railroad was going to demolish the depot because  it’s “an 
eyesore the way it is,” Wischnack said. 
 
However, she said the depot is actually in “pretty good” shape.
 
She said Grand County Historical Association members and petitioners in and  
out of state donated money to save the depot. 
 
“This building has a lot of historic value,” Wischnack said, “but it is a  
building that requires a lot of money to be taken care of. I want to save it  
because we need to save it. On the other hand, I think how can we afford it  
unless people step up to the plate?
 
“Old buildings require maintenance, which requires money. We need people  and 
money to make the Grand County Historical Society successful in restoring  
Grand County history.”
 
— Katie Looby can be reached at 887-3334 ext. 19601 or e-mail 
_klooby_@_grandcountynews.com_ (mailto:klooby@grandcountynews.com) . 



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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1763
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org