Alamosa in Alamosa County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
All Aboard for Alamosa!
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 16, 2020
1. All Aboard for Alamosa! Marker
Colorado's first home railroad was begun in 1871. William J. Palmer, Civil War veteran and founder of the Denver and Rio Grande, felt that transportation was the key to success in this new, undeveloped land.
"Narrow gauge" railroad was a new concept but it was one that worked for mountain travel. Tracks were laid fewer than four feet apart so the narrower trains could negotiate tighter curves. On this railroad, they were built with a three foot span.
By 1890 Alamosa was a "junction town" and an important railroad hub, with Denver and Rio Grande track radiating from it in four directions.
Trains arrived daily bringing passengers and supplies to Alamosa and leaving with ore, lumber, livestock and produce. As the town grew and the valley developed, Alamosa became the largest and most important town in southern Colorado.
The railroad depot, now moved to a more central location, currently houses the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce and the Narrow Gauge Museum.
Erected by Great Sand Dunes Loop.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 37° 28.173′ N,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Denver & Rio Grande Western Locomotive No. 169 (here, next to this marker); Adams State College (within shouting distance of this marker); Alamosa (within shouting distance of this marker); Alamosa County (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Emperius Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); American National Bank Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alamosa Depot (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alamosa.
Also see . . .
1. Remembering the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Classic Trains website entry (Submitted on November 26, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Alamosa County. "Colorado Encyclopedia" entry (Submitted on January 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 16, 2020
2. All Aboard for Alamosa! Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
