The Jefferson Depot-under new ownership 2019

The Jefferson Depot: "Serving travelers since 1880" reads the headline on the website .
www.thejeffersondepot.com

The depot was abandoned in 1937/8 along with the South Park Line, but has had a few lives in the intervening years including the most recent as the Hungry Moose Caboose restaurant.  It's newest owner bought the former C&S depot in the heart of the South Park in 2019.

Their website reads: "In 2019, Frank and Jackie Marinaro purchased the Depot with the dream of creating a place where hikers and anglers, photographers and commuters, passers-thru and lifelong residents can gather, eat, drink and relax in the midst of towering mountain vistas, sparkling rivers, and star-filled Colorado night skies."

They honor the heritage of the depot throughout their website including a map of the entire C&S narrow gauge system, several historical photos of the depot during operations, and images of C&S trains hanging on the walls of the building.

In their "About" section it states, "Formerly the railroad depot for the Denver South Park and Pacific

Railway, The Jefferson Depot has stood at the gateway to the South Park Valley for nearly 150 years welcoming travelers to the breadth and beauty of western Colorado. Located at the base of Kenosha Pass on US 285, the distinct blue train depot building offers respite for travelers passing to and from Denver and towns located in Colorado's central mountains."

While giving the entire operation the name The Jefferson Depot, they still retain the name Hungry Moose Caboose for the take-out grill structure that is made to resemble a simplistic caboose.  Inside the station is the Moose Saloon and also a new area for dining in.  Tables are found in the passenger room, freight room, and agent's office.   

If you would like to see the inside of the depot you can see a virtual tour here from a site that previously posted the property for sale and has yet to be taken down.

While all of us would love to see a train again pull up to the Jefferson depot again (maybe Klondike Kate will get there someday from Como!), it's great to see this historical station still having life and retaining more than a few nods to its past.  Many blessings to Frank and Jackie Marinaro on their new venture!