Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

History Wins!

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2016

1. History Wins! Marker

Inscription. In 2009, the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (the Friends) and the Montana Heritage Commission (MHC) engaged in partnership whereby the MHC loaned some unused railroad trucks (axles, wheels, and suspensions systems of rail cars) to the Friends in conjunction with volunteer work in Nevada City. Improvements you see here in the Nevada City Rail Yard are a testimony to work that was performed through this three year partnership.

These box cars dating to c.1880 originally operated in Colorado before coming to Montana about 1917 when they were put in service at the mining town of Coolidge, Montana. Among the work performed by the Friends was the restoration of these Florence and Cripple Creek/Montana Southern boxcars. These boxcars now provide much needed storage for the Montana Heritage Commission. The Friends used the trucks in the historically accurate restoration of working tank cars for the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

This partnership demonstrates how two historic preservation organizations representing three states can work together to the mutual benefit of all involved. The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is based in Albuquerque, NM and has approximately 2,200 members worldwide. For information on how to support the Montana Heritage Commission call 406-843-5247.

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captions (all courtesy of Montana Heritage Commission):
• Trucks from the Montana Heritage Commission help complete the restoration of these tank cars for use on the Combres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in Colorado and New Mexico
• The Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad constructing track to move Montana Heritage Commission rail cars.
• Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad rebuilding the Florence and Cripple Creek/Montana Southern Boxcars.

Erected by Montana Heritage Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 45° 18.427′ N, 111° 58.122′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. Marker is on State Highway 287 south of California Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located directly in front of the subject restored boxcar exhibit on the west side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nevada City (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Trial and Hanging of George Ives (within shouting distance of this marker); Finney House (within shouting distance of this marker); An Important Era in Railroad History

History Wins! Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2016

2. History Wins! Marker (wide view)

(within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Don L. Byam Residence (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montana’s Oldest Standing School (about 400 feet away); Gallows Barn (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted on a waist-high post.

Also see . . . Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad. The Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad (F&CC) was a narrow-gauge railroad running northward from junctions with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at the mill towns of Florence and later moved to Cañon City, Colorado, on the banks of the Arkansas River, up steep and narrow Phantom Canyon to the Cripple Creek Mining District, west of Pikes Peak. It was founded in 1893 and went out of business in 1915. It was the first railroad to reach the new, booming mining district from the "outside world" and as a result it earned substantial profits in its first years. (Submitted on January 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Florence & Cripple Creek Boxcar #347, circa 1880 (<i>located beside marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2016

3. Florence & Cripple Creek Boxcar #347, circa 1880 (located beside marker)

Florence & Cripple Creek Boxcar #522, circa 1880 (<i>located beside marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2016

4. Florence & Cripple Creek Boxcar #522, circa 1880 (located beside marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.