At 8:45 am December 11, 1892, a watchman walking through the roundhouse discovered flames shooting up from Engine 174. He blew the whistle of Engine 529 and all hands scrambled to fight the fire. Within 2 minutes the flames had ignited the tar paper roof and the smoke was so bad that the men had to retreat. They turned their attention to getting the engines out. They were able to save 20 engines, quite a feat given the need to move the turntable for each one. This photo shows the final damage.

Come on by the Museum this weekend to hear more stories, or maybe pick up a 2017 calendar as a last minute gift for the history buff in your life. We’ll be open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday (December 17-18) from 1-5:00. We will be closed Christmas and New Year’s weekends to allow our valued volunteers to enjoy time with family and friends.

Every Halloween, Salida Museum volunteers host the 2nd grade classes to learn more about Salida and it’s history. We’re always impressed by how smart these kids are – I mean, would you have answered that boiling water produces “water vapor” when you were in the 2nd grade?!? Anyway, here are two photos from their visit.

Clay Jenkinson visited the Salida Museum October 15 during his visit to Salida to perform his historic interpretation of Teddy Roosevelt for a fundraiser for Browns Canyon. Jenkinson, a scholar, writer, and creator of the Thomas Jefferson Hour, enjoyed our Teddy Roosevelt display.

Teddy Roosevelt visited Salida in 1905 while changing trains and gave a speech to 800 schoolchildren and several thousand citizens who had assembled at the depot. The Scenic Line Band played patriotic music while waiting for his train to appear, and Mayor Wenz greeted Roosevelt and extended a “hearty welcome” on behalf of all the citizens of Salida. After a short speech, Roosevelt ended by saying, “I wish I could stay with you a week.”

Great success in our fundraiser to match the $2500 Lighting Fund Challenge Grant from High Country Bank. We raised $2771 by the end of June. Many thanks to all of you who donated and help us meet the match. We are currently getting bids for the lighting replacement and plan to do the work this winter. Please do watch for announcements about museum closures while this important work happens.

Thanks again!!!

Hard to believe, but 2016 is the 40th year of museum operations in the current building! Built by the City with help from funds donated by Harriet Alexander, our founder, and a state grant from the 1976 Centennial Commission, it was constructed with salvaged brick from an old bottling plant near the Monarch Spur Trail and 1st Street. With it’s age, comes challenges, including fluorescent lights, which are taking a toll on our artifacts.

We have a generous Challenge Grant of $2,500 from High Country Bank to replace our lights with artifact-friendly LED lights. Double your donation for any amount up to $100.

This challenge grant has ended. But if you still want to donate to the Museum, please visit our donation page for more information.

Vandalism. It seems to be a common theme at remote historic sites these days, and we are no exception. Since last fall we have been fighting a losing battle with vandals at the Smokestack, including tagging on the brick and damage to the adjacent building. In March, they succeeded in pulling down a long run of chain link fence. 

We’re asking the community to keep an eye out at the smokestack and report any unusual activity to the Sheriff. Read on for photos and more information…

Howdy Folks, Depot Sam here. The good people at the SalidaMuseum have decided to let me stop by from time to time and tell you a little about Salida and the surrounding area. We’ll see what we can dig up about the Arkansas Valley and some of the mountain mining towns, people and stories. So, check out some of my stories for some fun facts. Oh, and be sure to visit the museum every chance you can and make sure you join the association, heck, it’s only ten dollars a year.