Como Roundhouse History
By Bill and Greg Kazel, elaborated by Chuck Brantigan with the help of Chappell, Richardson and Hauck, Colorado Rail Annual 12 and Debra Queen-Stremke.
Como Roundhouse 1885
The Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad, or the “South Park,” holds a special place in the hearts of railfans everywhere. Its underdog status during most of its history, the spectacular scenery visible from every mile of its trackage, and the many available photographs of its activities gives it a place of greater prominence than many larger rail operations.
The hub of its operations was in the small town of Como, Colorado. Because of the historic significance of this rail complex and its remaining historic assets the rail complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Many changes to these privately owned properties have taken place over time and there is now renewed effort to preserve these assets for the general public and for future generations. Restoration of the rail complex is part of a larger effort to create the South Park National Heritage Area.
The rail complex included maintenance facilities, water towers, a coaling tower, the depot, a hotel, a “tenement” for railroad workers and other outbuildings to accommodate equipment and supervisory personnel. The roundhouse eventually included the original 6 stalls plus two wooden additions bringing the total to 19 stalls at the turn of the 20th century.
The Como Roundhouse, built by Italian stonemasons in 1881, was part of a rail complex that was the hub for three mainlines: one to Denver via Kenosha Pass (roughly the route of US285), the second to Breckinridge via Boreas Pass and on to Leadville over Fremont Pass, and the third to Gunnison via the Alpine Tunnel and the Palisades.
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Dedicated volunteers, donations of material and historical preservation grants have moved this restoration forward. As you can see in the photo below, your donations help to make this transformation effort a reality.
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Como Roundhouse 2022
The railroad declined after the final closure of the Alpine Tunnel in 1910 and the remaining wooden stalls burned in 1935. The last train for Denver left Como on 2 September 1938, pulling up the track behind it. All that remains of the complex is the roundhouse, the “Eating House,” or hotel built in 1896, the depot and the outbuildings. Significant restoration has taken place on the hotel, the depot and the roundhouse since designation but it is an ongoing project. There has been great support from the historic preservation community and from railfans everywhere.
The roundhouse property was bought by Bill Kazel in 1984 to save it from the inevitable deterioration from facing the harsh weather in South Park without maintenance. Bill and his son, Greg restored the building to its 1910 appearance and collected documentation on its history.
Remains of equipment after the wooden addition to Como Roundhouse burned in 1935
Photo by John Oshier from Greg Kazel
The building was in sad shape when they bought it. The roof was caving in. Doors and windows were non-functional or missing. The masonry shell was deteriorating at least in part due to the heat from the fire in 1935 that destroyed the wooden additions to the roundhouse and in part due to lack of protection from the elements. The building was filled with sawdust from the sawmill that used the building and was inhabited by livestock.
In 1984 and 1985 the various openings in the building were closed. Collapsing roof timbers were braced. The remaining engine vents were safely lowered to the ground. The building was repointed. A turntable was obtained and installed in the turntable pit. This is believed to be the original turntable from Como although important parts are missing.
In 1987 work to support the deteriorating boxcars which had been converted to a shed, was completed. Between 1993 and 1995 the roof on the roundhouse was replaced. Windows were installed and the engine bay doors were repaired or replaced. The building had effectively been saved.
In 2001 Bill thought it time to pass the torch to someone else but Bill stayed on as the superintendent. Chuck and Kathy Brantigan, well known for their work in historic preservation in Denver, bought the building and associated land.
The photo above from the early 1980s shows the deteriorating roof of the roundhouse. On the right we can see the new roof after the restoration work of Bill and Greg Kazel was completed.
Photo above by Hart Corbett
Since the Brantigan’s have owned the roundhouse most of the efforts have focused on maintenance and planning. The building has been repainted. Additional masonry work has been done. Rails were laid in engine bay number two to accommodate display of an original DSP&P boxcar. Also on display is one end of the DSP&P passenger car “Geneva”.
The nearby supervisors cabins have been stabilized and there has been an increased emphasis on opening the building to the public. Our ambition for the property on a long-term basis is to create a showplace for "big things that move" and Como's railway history.