Published on January 26, 2026
Happy New Year from the Historical Commission! For this inaugural issue of 2026 we reveal fascinating visual details of local train transportation in 1910. Let us take you back in time by utilizing a photo that depicts the Louisville train station at the intersection of Pine Street, and the Colorado and Southern railroad tracks that illustrate a variety of remarkable details.
To the far left within the photo stands the first Louisville depot that was replaced a few years later. This is the site of the former Track Inn, later the Blue Agave restaurant. After it was decommissioned, the newer building was then moved to Pine and LaFarge Streets and is now a dance studio. There are two electric Denver and Interurban cars present. The car to the left is headed to Boulder and the one to the right is headed to Denver. Further right is a steam locomotive heading up the local train to Lafayette. It is hard for us today to imagine being able to ride a train for the short hop over to Lafayette. Further, it boggles contemporary minds that an efficient commuter rail to Boulder or Denver was an everyday option from 1908 to 1926.
Another interesting tidbit found in this classic photo is that the tracks near the station are dual gauge, meaning they could accommodate both narrow and standard-gauge trains. Standard gauge rails are four feet, eight and a half inches apart and narrow gauge are usually three and a half feet apart. Eventually the narrow-gauge tracks were removed as were the tracks used for passing trains resulting in the configuration we see today. The current at that site handles BNSF freight trains headed to Denver or Cheyenne, Wyoming.
One last morsel is that the electricity in the catenary power lines above the interurban cars was generated at the powerhouse formerly located at Waneka Lake in Lafayette. Superior was also served by the Colorado and Southern Railway and the Denver & Interurban Railroad. The railroad equipment seen in the photo also served Superior residents. The same trains hauled coal from the local mines and provided passenger service for residents who boarded the trains at the depot located at the end of Third Avenue on the south side of town.
The Asti Park Historical Museum (112 W. Maple St.) and Grasso Park Interim Museum (122 E. William St.) will be open on Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and we invite you to visit!
Our historic displays and enthusiastic docents will be waiting to welcome you and show you some of our artifacts on display there.
Last month's Guess What This Is feature was a toaster that was used on old coal burning stoves or early electrics. The heat from the hot stove or stove burner was drawn up like a chimney toasting the bread. Many present day campers use updated versions on adventures.
Written by Larry Dorsey, Susan Stanish and Jennifer Garner.
For more information about the Historical Commission and its activities, contact Commission Liaison Jennifer “JG” Garner at 303-499-3675, ext. 167, Commission Co-Chair Larry Dorsey at 303-499-1969, or just click on the “Historical Commission Info” button below.