We’ve all driven by the interesting yet dilapidated building on the north side of 160 just west of Walsenburg many times. (See today’s photos) Its kind of the unofficial Gateway to Walsenburg for me. Don’t know about you, but the setting, the architecture and the potential have totally captured my imagination for many years. What is its history? Why is it unused? Isn’t there SOMETHING that can be done to keep this intriguing building alive and useful? Seems like the time has come when it is either rescued or ruined for this graceful old sentinel that notifies all that Walsenburg is just ahead. Here’s the story. The building is the Walsen Power Plant and it was built in either 1898 (Colorado Preservation’s records) or 1911 (according to Carolyn Newman, Huerfano County historian) to provide power for about 400 miners working in 50 (or 157, depending on the source) miles of tunnels and shafts in the area. Just imagine – a huge network of tunnels sprawling out under the area around the power plant, lit up so that workers could literally work day and night mining coal! This building might be the only one left to remind us of the story of mining in our area and give us hints of the old coal company structures and the lives led by the miners. The Power Plant is listed as an endangered property by Colorado Preservation which helps to qualify it for grants and and other financial incentives. It has been suggested that the building could be converted into a museum, artist studios, brewery or some other creative purpose. (I was thinking condos, but then I’m a dreamer. . .) But, it now looks like the current owners are considering demolishing it and selling off any materials that are of value. Why can’t a white knight just ride in, purchase it and convert it to something beautiful and useful? Unfortunately there are a few obstacles in the way besides just finding that white knight! Trusted and loved historian and President of the Huerfano County Historical Society, Carolyn Newman shares these insights. “We here in Huerfano County love the building, but there are 157 miles of mining tunnels under it. Underground water is a problem. The land cannot be developed because of ground problems, probably the ground is polluted also. The Huerfano County Historical Society worked on this site for some time to find solutions. Although Walsenburg people would love to find a way for reuse, the whole story of the site needs to be understood. Lets keep our fingers crossed and maybe something can be done.“ All is not lost quite yet. We received the following message in an email from Jennifer Orrigo Charles Preservation Programs Manager with Colorado Preservation, Inc. “We have a fantastic historic building with a lot of potential in Walsenburg that is in danger of being demolished unless we can find a sympathetic owner. The site is the c1898 Walsen Power Plant, it sits on 6.7 acres and is selling for $70,000. The owners have received an offer to demolish and scrap the materials, but they would love to see it preserved and we still have a chance. We are having a community brainstorming meeting with the owners, the town, and any interested parties. The meeting will be held in Pueblo this coming Monday, August 11 at 1:30 pm at the Steelworks Museum.” Editor: If any of our readers have suggestions or more importantly, FUNDS for this special building, please email editor@cucharavillage or contact Colorado Historic Preservation Inc. at [email protected] Or – best yet, attend the meeting/pep rally Monday and let your comments be heard!
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 04:00:00 +0000
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