Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Great Rock Island Route
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
| | Roswell, Colorado 1888-1980 | |
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 1, 2026
1. The Great Rock Island Route Marker
This Plaque is dedicated to the fond memory of the men and families who operated and maintained the Roswell Yards and kept the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad moving.
The Roswell Yards included a depot, 16 stall roundhouse, water tank, pump house, coal trestle, coal chute, coal house, two oil houses, stockyard, repair shops and a large storage yard.
The four remaining stalls of this roundhouse stand as a proud symbol of the Rock Island at Roswell, Colorado. From steam to diesel, passenger and freight service, theseyards and the railroad workers did it all.
The Town of Roswell and the Rock Island Yards were built in 1888.
Dedicated by Al Packer Chapter #100
August 13, 2005
Ancient & Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus 6010
Erected 2005 by the Al Packer Chapter #100, Ancient & Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus 6010.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 13, 2005.
Location. 38° 52.016′ N, 104° 49.896′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range and in Pikes Peak Region. 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. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Van Briggle Pottery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Montgomery Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ticknor Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away); Charles Leaming Tutt Jr. (approx. 1.3 miles away); Arthur House (approx. 1.3 miles away); tavachi : sun (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cutler Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away); Palmer Hall (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 1, 2026
2. The Great Rock Island Route Marker
At the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation and the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum & Restoration Shop.
Regarding The Great Rock Island Route. The legendary "Great Rock Island Route" connected Chicago to Colorado Springs, with trains navigating a sinuous, ascending approach into the Front Range.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 1, 2026
3. The Great Rock Island Route Marker
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 1, 2026
4. Nearby old trolley car.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 1, 2026
5. Manitou & Pikes Peak Trolley
The retired 1965 Pikes Peak Cog Railway car, affectionately named "Aspen" (Car #17), is permanently housed at the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and Restoration Shop. This historic car is preserved as a static display.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 1, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
