History

Railroad Museum Progress Report

, and Barb Warden

April 2, 2024 . 12:05 AM

1 min read

Tall sign advertising the Motel and Museum. Depot, steam engine, and North Table Mountain in the background. — *Early sign, advertising both the Museum and the Motel. The depot-style museum building is still in use*.

65 Years Ago
The April 2, 1959 Colorado Transcript included a photo of the new railroad museum being constructed on 44th Avenue.

Progress Report from the Colorado Railroad Museum and the Iron Horse Motel a unique new tourist attraction for GOLDEN! — *Colorado Transcript - April 2, 1959*

The Colorado Railroad Museum moved to Golden in 1959, and the Iron Horse Motel came with it. The Museum’s founder, Bob Richardson, used revenue from the Motel help fund the Museum.

Long, one story motel with North Table Mountain in the background. — *The Iron Horse Motel, former neighbor to the Railroad Museum –* *click to enlarge*

The Iron Horse Development Corporation (of which Richardson was President) sold the motel in 1964. It continued in operation until the Museum was ready to expand in the late 1990s. At that time, the 40 year old motel was demolished. With the extra property, the Museum was able to build their roundhouse facility (where maintenance and restoration work takes place) and extend their track to form a complete loop.

*The roundhouse now occupies the former Iron Horse Motel property. Google satellite image.*

Thanks to the Golden History Museum for providing the online cache of historic Transcripts, and to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!