The Museum

The Castle Rock Museum is housed in the historically significant Castle Rock Denver & Rio Grande Depot. In 1871, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad had just been built between Denver and Old Colorado City (Colorado Springs), the first narrow gauge line in the United States. It was built by General William Jackson Palmer.

In 1874, the Town of Castle Rock was designated the county seat for the newly realigned Douglas County. With the Town of Castle Rock newly designated the county seat, locals pushed for a railroad depot in Castle Rock. By 1875 a small trim depot was erected on Third Street in the bustling village of Castle Rock. It was constructed of rhyolite building stone native to the area, designed in the style of the period with wide eaves supported by drop-pendant brackets. The stonework includes fine details on the corners and buildings’ edges, and around the sills and lintels.

In 1970 the depot was purchased by Bill & Joyce Murray.  They moved the building from trackside to its present location (420 Elbert St.).  Thankfully, the Murrays restored the building and even kept many of the interior features such as the old ticket window and baggage area as well as the 150 year old railroad employee names on the wall which are still there today. The Castle Rock Historical Society purchased the building in 1996 for use as a local history museum and in 1997 the Castle Rock Museum opened to the public.

The Denver & Rio Grande Depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and the Castle Rock Register of Local Landmarks in 1994.

Museum Director

Angie DeLeo