Compared to the construction costs of the county courthouse ($360,000) the Windsor Hotel, complete with fine furnishings ($400,000) and the Masonic Temple ($250,000), the depot’s construction costs were significantly higher, reported as between $450,000 and $525,000.Ī Leadville mine superintendent, headed to Chicago, purchased the first ticket from the newly opened depot.Ī fire caused by wiring for the ladies’ waiting room chandelier quickly spread to the second floor at the southwest end of the depot. 003 The new depot opened on June 1, 1881, as the largest building west of the Mississippi and was not only significant in size but also in cost. The Molly Brown Mansion and Carriage House on Pennsylvania Avenue, Castle Marne Mansion on Race Street and two churches-the Trinity Methodist downtown and the First Unitarian at Fourteenth and Lafayette-were all constructed using rhyolite quarried just south of Castle Rock. Rhyolite, a rose-colored volcanic stone, was chosen as one of the building materials because it weathers well. Local materials, such as sandstone from Manitou Springs and stone from Morrison, were used. Architect Taylor chose the Italian Romanesque style for this grand depot to be built at the far end of town. Ground was broken on the foundation of the new depot on May 10, 1880, after ninety-six lots were purchased for just under $100,000, while another $164,000 was paid to constructor James A. Less than a week later, the Union Depot and Railroad Company of Colorado began construction on the new terminal. The architectural plans were ready on March 20, 1880. Taylor was hired in February 1880 by Denver’s four railroads and Jay Gould, a New Yorker who financed the project, to develop plans for one terminal station to serve them all. Cheesman’s dream, Kansas City architect William E. Her new book, Union Station in Denver, explores the history of the landmark.īeck spoke with Colorado Matters host Nathan Heffel. The station opened in 1881 as the largest structure west of the Mississippi, and author Rhonda Beck says it remains the pride of the city. It returns the station to its status as the main transit hub for Denver, not seen since the height of train travel in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In a little over a month, Denver's Union Station will be bustling more than usual, as a new commuter rail line to Denver International Airport opens for service.
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