Give us a call 970-872-3322
Give us a call 970-872-3322
Ask Spencer Jordan
New to market is a charming and well-kept piece of Colorado history - The Pitkin Railroad Depot, which is now a cool and comfortable vacation lodging. Situated in the picturesque mining town of Pitkin, this property at 601 State Street has a long Colorado history dating back to the early settlement of Western Colorado.
Gold was found in the Colorado Rockies northeast of Gunnison, which inspired a small gold rush in the late 1870’s. In the early 1880’s, ambitious plans were made to connect a series of high mountain Colorado towns via the narrow-gauge Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad. Pitkin was an important stop below the incredible Alpine Tunnel, which was bored through the Continental Divide to connect towns along the route, such as Keystone, Dillon, Leadville, Breckenridge, Alma, Fairplay, Buena Vista, Morrison, and Denver. This depot was the southwest stop in Pitkin, which proceeded on to Gunnison.
After the rails were pulled up in the 1940’s, the depot sat empty until the 1970’s, when the current owners bought the property. They have carefully kept the history alive while making it a summer cabin for their family. Though fully remodeled in the 1970's, the interior is dated but modern conveniences such as power, light, and plumbing were added, making it a cute 900 sq ft mountain cottage with an amazing history. As well, the property has second residence, a charming 1,169-square-foot 2-bedroom guest house just north of the train station home. The guest house also has a 2-car garage with an upstairs studio—not insulated, but an interesting workspace or project for another living space. The guest house and garage are dry—no kitchen or bath—but could be plumbed fairly easily for a bathroom and kitchen. Since the remodel, this property has been maintained with a focus on keeping it preserved as a special piece of Colorado history.
The property has a high-producing well with a pump rate of 15 gallons per minute. During the remodel plumbing was installed, replacing the need for the historic two-holer outhouse that still stands on the property today - which has also been featured in books of historic mountain outhouses. The home has a robust 200-amp electrical service from the Gunnison County Electric Association and an adequate septic system. The property would serve very well as a short-term AirBnB or VRBO rental.
Pitkin is a historic town known for its rich mining heritage and as a former stop on the South Park narrow gauge line. The local historic hotel is undergoing a complete renovation, and the Stumbling Moose Bar & Grill made news by obtaining the first liquor license in Pitkin in several decades. Surrounded by the Gunnison National Forest, Pitkin is a recreation hotspot with world-class fly-fishing, trophy hunting opportunities, hundreds of miles of Jeep and UTV trails, dirt bike/mountain bike single track trails, and stunning mountain passes worth an international visit. In winter, the area transforms into a snowy paradise for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, with Crested Butte only a little more than an hour away. Quartz Creek, a beloved fly-fishing river, is only a stone’s throw south of the property.
Just a 35-minute drive away, Gunnison serves as the main hub of the region, offering a vibrant community with shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Home to Western Colorado University, Gunnison provides a lively atmosphere and is the gateway to Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Gunnison River, both popular for fishing and water sports. Gunnison is also home to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC), which offers flights from some of the largest US cities, providing convenient access to this beautiful region.
