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RGS Story, The Rio Grande Southern Vol V 5 Rico and the Mines McCoy Graves Collm
The RGS Story Vol 5 Rico and the Mines by Dell A McCoy, Russ Collman & William A Graves SIGNED
Hard Cover w/Plastic Protective Cover Reflections from the lights on some photos.
496 pages
Copyright 1996
CONTENTS
1. Charles Miller Engel, Rico Resident 13
2. The Story of Dunton 29
3. Coke Ovens to Rico's Yard Limits 41
4. Rico's Trail Blazers 69
5. RGS Rail Arrives in Rico 133
6. RGS Enterprise Branch 165
7. The Pro Patria Mill 265
8. The Flood in October of 1911 313
9. St. Louis Mine Period 415
RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TRACK MAPS
Pete and Kathy Porter Collection
Burns to Rico 48
Milepost 66 in the Rico Yard 163
RGS North Yard in Rico 312
RGS Station Grounds and Coal Pockets in Rico 334-335
LIST OF BRIDGE PROFILE DRAWINGS
Bridges 66-A and 66-B 67
Bridge 66-C 68
INTRODUCTION
THE AUTHORS OF THIS VOLUME of The R G S Story-aided by research materials from Gabe Bradford, Mike Blazek and others-undertook the difficult task of piecing together an almost non-existent story of the little mining town of Rico, the Rio Grande Southern Railroad's operations at Rico and the mines, mills and smelters of Rico's Pioneer Mining District. Dell A. McCoy, publisher, made a number of new friends as he gathered photographs from residents of Rico, as well as from former residents who have moved to locations at lower elevations. These individuals had many pictures and experiences to share with us. Dell has assembled the historic photographs and written the captions for this volume. William A. Graves has produced the Chronology of Rico's mining district, as well as other stories, while Russ Collman has put together the history of the Rio Grande Southern at the railroad's division point, Rico.
VOLUME V of The R G S Story continues this series with the origin of Rico and the mining district. Pioneer prospectors returned to their home towns with stories of mineral wealth beyond imagination. This resulted in the establishment of many mining claims in what became the Pioneer Mining District, while the mining camp of Rico gradually became an organized town. This and the development of mines near Telluride sparked the interest of Otto Mears, and he seized the opportunity to build a railroad to transport the mineral wealth to distant smelters for refining. After completing the Rio Grande Southern's line into Telluride in 1890, Otto built his line over Lizard Head Pass and into Rico during September of 1891.
THE RICO DEMOCRAT described the arrival of the RGS as follows: "At last, the railroad is here, and the romantic days of the stage[coach] driver are past. After long years of waiting and watching, the people of Rico are connected with the outside world by bands of steel. The event was consummated at 10:10 p.m., Wednesday, September 30, when rails were laid across the north line of the town site, and a few minutes later, the construction train pushed into the city limits."
Rico was waiting with open arms for the arrival of the RGS, so the railroad could haul out the immense volume of ore from the mines and bring in supplies at reduced costs. Finally, Rico had an efficient means of transportation. The people were overjoyed. They could now travel in
the comfort of a passenger car to distant points. Before the RGS arrived, they had to travel by stagecoach or on horseback. And laboring oxen or draft horses previously had slowly hauled in the essential staples for the people and moved ore out to the smelters in far-distant towns.
Immediately, Otto Mears extended a branch back of town to reach the mines above Rico, to the east. Boxcars then could be loaded from the Black Hawk and Enterprise mines. The account of the Enterprise Branch is included in this volume.
A detailed discourse about Rico-with its business buildings and houses-is aptly depicted in words and pictures, showing the close tie-in with the railroad. Of special note is the story of the Hotel Enterprise, the largest building in Rico.
Although the railroad yard of the RGS no longer exists, this volume visually tells the history of this once-busy place-in more detail than thought possible. This includes the purpose of the yard, and the part it played as a helper station for locomotives assisting freight trains up the steep grade to Lizard Head Pass.
A descriptive photographic account and story are presented on these pages about one of Rico's foremost residents during the heyday of the town-Charles M. Engel. It tells about his involvement in keeping Rico alive. Mr. Engel was personally responsible for collecting and saving many photographs presenting Rico's colorful past-in this little town's beautiful mountain setting, located in the San Juan Region of southwestern Colorado.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
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