Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension
(Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad)
[2012 marker northwest corner of depot]
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance in illustrating the history of the United States of America
2012
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
[1973 marker northeast corner of depot]
National Park Service
February 16, 1973
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 36° 54.155′ N, 106° 34.722′ W. Marker is in Chama, New Mexico, in Rio Arriba County. It can be reached from
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chama (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chama Railyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Coal Tipple (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1881 Log Bunkhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Spanish Trail (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Chama (approx. 3 miles away); Cumbres Pass
More about this marker. There is an identical marker on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Station in Antonito, Colorado. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension National Historic Landmark comprises the entire 64-mile right-of-way, including numerous associated historic structures, such this former D&RG Railroad Depot at Chama, as well as the former D&RG Section House at Cumbres Pass, on the narrow-gauge line between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. The historic rail line, associated structures, and right-of-way are today owned and operated by the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C.&T.S.R.R.).
Regarding Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension. National Register of Historic Places № 73000462 (original, 1973) & 07000374 (increase, 2007).
From the 2007 National Register Nomination prepared by Keith E. Hayes, 10/10/2005:
When the railroad segment was listed in the National Register in 1973, the name Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad was recordedas the official resource name. As this name was not used until after the railroads period of significance, this amendment uses the historic name of the property during the period of significance; Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 20253. Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension MarkerThe marker is mounted on the northwest [right] corner of the former Denver and Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) Railroad Depot at Chama, NM.The right-of-way consists of 64 miles of three-foot gauge railroad track between the communities of Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, along the Colorado-New Mexico border. Trackage crosses the state border eleven times, sometimes multiple crossings within hundreds of feet. The route travels over Cumbres Pass at an elevation of 10,015 feet.
The depot at Chama is the second such building at this location, replacing an earlier building that was consumed in the 1899 fire that also destroyed the original wood roundhouse. The building is of wood-frame construction with board and batten siding, double-hung windows, large eaves and a composition shingle roof. Typical of railroad depots, there is a waiting room and ticket window on one end, a telegraph operators bay on the track side, rooms for the agents residence, and a large room with an elevated floor for storage of freight and express items. A raised loading dock, restored in 2003, wraps the south end of the building to facilitate moving large items directly from rail cars into the freight room. Portions of the building have been adapted to offices as this building serves as the headquarters of the railroad. The waiting room appears very much as it did during D&RG operations.
The period of significance begins in 1880 with the completion of the rail line from Antonito to Chama and ends in 1967, the year in which the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) ceased operations.
As part of the boom and bust west, the Denver & Rio Grande as a corporate entity was born, died and reborn under a variety of names. These include:
Denver & Rio Grande Railway, 1870-1886
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company, 1886-1921
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad 1921-1970.In July 1970, the D&RG sold the line along with its buildings, fixed structures and significant amounts of operating equipment to the states of Colorado and New Mexico.
Related markers.
Also see . . . Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: On February 20, 1880, track crews of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway (D&RG) began to lay the first rails of the San Juan Extension going south from Alamosa, Colorado, toward Antonito, Colorado, arriving in March of that year. The company chose the narrow gauge of three feet instead of the standard gauge of four feet eight and a half inches. This was because the narrow gauge was cheaper to build, and a narrow-gauge railway can accommodate tighter-radius curves. This allowed laying track where standard gauge would not fit. From Antonito, the line continued west to Chama, New Mexico, arriving there on December 31, 1880. The track had come 64 miles through two tunnels, over a 10,015-foot mountain pass, and skirted a 600-foot gorge.(Submitted on August 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)When the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad arrived in Chama, other railroad companies were formed to take advantage of the local forests. This created a flourishing logging economy for the town. There were lumber mills located to the west and south of Chama. These mills provided a steady stream of revenue for the railroad, lasting until abandonment in the late 1960s.
(northwest elevation)
(northeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
