Salida Centennial Photo Collection

Salida, Colorado celebrated its centennial in 1980. The Salida Centennial Committee compiled this collection of old photographs to help preserve the history of Salida and the surrounding areas. Photos were donated from: • Frank Thomson • Donna Nevens • Salida Museum • Alice Chinn • Salida Fire Department • Josephine Soukup (Kratky) • Ernest Brownson • Alta Proctor • Janice Pennington • Dick Dixon

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Denver & Rio Grande Depot
Photo of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Depot and the Monte Cristo Hotel, taken by John Kratky, who lived in Salida between 1912-1920. Josephine Soukup Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Engine No. 168
Denver & Rio Grande No. 168, photo taken between 1900 – 1902. Henry Harvard Haley is on the right. Haley-Bratton Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Locomotive #1063
Denver & Rio Grande locomotive #1063. Image taken by John Kratky. Josephine Soukup Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Locomotive #1440
Image of railroad locomotive engine no. 1440. Taken by John Kratky, who lived in Salida between 1912-1920. Josephine Soukup Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Locomotive #83
Denver & Rio Grande locomotive No. 83 was in use here as a switch engine, and was posed on the mainline, with the rebuilt machine shop behind. Notice the front and rear arc headlamps in use on this Baldwin engine, the last Class 56 narrow-gauge 2-8-0 to be built, having entered service in 1881. The engine’s pilot truck had been removed, which converted No. 83 into an 0-8-0. Alice Chinn Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Machine Shop Construction
Construction of the machine shops, dated August 28, 1923. Harry Williams Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Machine Shop and Roundhouse Construction
Construction of the backshop and roundhouse, dated August 28, 1923. Harry Williams Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Machine Shops in Salida, Colo.
Hundreds of men were employed in the D&RG machine shops in Salida. It was the largest, most complete repair shop between Denver and Salt Lake City and could repair or rebuild any kind of disaster that might befall a locomotive or piece of rolling stock. On several occasions the crew built locomotives using spare parts from others. Maintenance was a large part of the work here. John Ophus Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot
The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad stone depot was built in 1880. Although preparations began a year earlier, the third rail was laid through Salida during 1890. Addition of the outside rail allowed standard gauge as well as narrow gauge trains to operate over the entire Rio Grande system. Switches, frogs and rerailers – especially in the crowded Salida yards – were an engineering marvel. As late as 1890, the tender of this switcher is fitted with a kerosene work light. Ernest Brownson Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Hospital
The Denver & Rio Grand Railroad Hospital and Annex. Alice Chinn Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Rotary Snowplow at Monarch Pass
Rotary snowplow on Monarch Pass ca. 1907. John Ophus Collection.
Denver & Rio Grande Rotary Snowplow at Monarch Pass
Rotary snowplow on Monarch Pass ca. 1907. John Ophus Collection.

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