Since its founding in 1858, the Denver metro area has seen a number of different industries come and go, some significantly more prosperous than others. One of the most popular and booming fields in the city’s history is that of the railroad, which can be seen in these 13 rare photos via our friends at History Colorado. Let’s take a look:
2.) "Stereograph of Union Depot (now Union Station) on Wazee Street in Denver, Colorado, taken circa 1881 by William Henry Jackson (1843-1942). The stereograph shows the the railroad depot, railroad tracks, and commercial buildings and residences surrounding the depot."
5.) "View of trolley cars on the 16th Street Viaduct over the South Platte River in Denver, Colorado. The Union Pacific Railroad Company railyard and Walker Castle are nearby (1922)."
6.) "View of the Union Pacific Railroad Company shops in Denver, Colorado. A trolley car is near the buildings, as well as a roundhouse and smokestacks (c. 1890)."
8.) "View of Clear Creek abd Clear Creek Canyon in Jefferson County, Colorado. Also shows Union Pacific, Denver and Gulf Railway Company tracks and rock formations (c. 1890)."
9.) "View of the Georgetown Loop of the Colorado & Southern Railroad with locomotive. Also shows men and a railroad track in Clear Creek County, Colorado (c. 1882)."
12.) "View of the work yard at the Globe Smelter at 52nd (Fifty-second), Logan, and Washington Streets in Denver, Colorado. A worker pushes an ore cart on the Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad tracks past a pile of loose rails. Shows brick masonry buildings. Men work under the eaves by the smelter. Chimneys belch smoke (c. 1889)."
