Ridgway in Ouray County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Ridgway Depot Outbuilding
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025
1. Ridgway Depot Outbuilding Marker
History
This outbuilding was built in 1891 to service the Ridgway Depot, which was built jointly by the Rio Grande Southern and Denver & Rio Grande Railroads. One-half of the outbuilding was a coal storage facility; the other half was an outhouse, with separate facilities for ladies and gentlemen. The depot never had indoor plumbing. This outbuilding was located just south of the depot, approximately at the site of the Town of Ridgway tennis courts on Railroad Avenue.
After the closure of the RGS in 1952 and the sale of the depot to a private party in the early 1960s, the outbuilding was moved to a field on the east side of US highway 550. It was donated to the Museum in 1999 by Rob Hunter and moved to this location on a flatbed trailer. Exterior restoration included replacement of about one-third of the siding and batts, replacement of several of the floor joists, and installation of a new roof. Most of the wood is original from 1891.
Restoration was assisted in part by a 2000 Heritage Grant from the National Railway Heritage Foundation.
Graffiti
Outbuildings such as this one often served as signposts for travelers who left
this page online
Initials, such as "F. S.", "A. F.", and "J. W".
Names, such as "I A Tobe", "Dave Varner", and "Ken Walker 'Telluride Bound' ".
Nicknames, such as "Sundown Slim", "Rain Storm Jack", "Rattlesnake Phil From Over the Hill Cortez, Col.", and "Moonshine Lil from Colo. Spgs".
Dates, such as "Roy Rich Rico, Colo. Box 466 2-18-43", "7-11-05 Kans.", "Carson Ince Aug 2, 1944 Dolores, Colo.", and "Doo McM Portland Or here 8 1937".
Messages, such as "Don't sign your name", "Where's Kilroy", and "To Hell with Kilroy, Kilpatrick was here".
Erected by Ridgway Railroad Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 38° 9.135′ N, 107° 45.266′ W. Marker is in Ridgway, Colorado, in Ouray County.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025
2. Ridgway Depot Outbuilding
The marker is mounted at eye level on the northwest [right] corner of the building, facing north.
Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: True Grit Jail Wagon (within shouting distance of this marker); RGS Coach 252 Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); D&RG(W) Caboose 91 (0575) (within shouting distance of this marker); DRG(W) 5574 (within shouting distance of this marker); RGS Motor 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Galloping Goose No. 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); True Grit Landmark #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Ridgway Railroad Museum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ridgway.
Also see . . . Rio Grande Southern Outbuilding (Ridgway Railroad Museum).
Excerpt: This building served as the coal storage shed and outhouse for the RGS depot in Ridgway. It was built in 1890. After the abandonment of the RGS it was sold to a local rancher to use as a shed. It was moved at least once more during the next 50 years and ended up in the field behind what is now the Ridgway Christian Center. In 2002 it was donated to the museum by the Bovard family and moved to Ridgway. Museum volunteers replaced the roof, the floor beams and much of the board and batten siding with new wood milled to match the original. Paint chips from the building revealed its original colors of bright red and green. It was decided to paint it in the yellow paint scheme found on RGS buildings in the last decade of the railroad.(Submitted on March 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
