National Register Listing

Santa Fe Railway Water Tank

a.k.a. Sedalia Water Tank; 5DA1385

US 85 W of jct. with CO 67, Sedalia, CO
Local significance of the structure:
Transportation; Engineering

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
  A brief timeline of the history of Santa Fe Railway

  • 1859: The Atchison and Topeka Railroad Company is founded in Kansas, with the goal of connecting the towns of Atchison and Topeka.

  • 1863: The Atchison and Topeka Railroad reaches Santa Fe, New Mexico, completing its initial transcontinental route.

  • 1880: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company is formed through a merger with the Southern Kansas Railway Company.

  • 1883: The Santa Fe Railway completes its second transcontinental line, reaching Los Angeles, California. This expansion enables the railway to connect the Midwest and Southwest to the Pacific Coast.

  • 1893: The California Limited, a luxury passenger train, begins service on the Santa Fe Railway, offering a high standard of travel for affluent passengers.

  • 1901: The Grand Canyon Railway, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, is established to provide transportation to the Grand Canyon National Park.

  • 1926: The Santa Fe Railway introduces the Super Chief, a luxurious all-Pullman sleeping car train that becomes known as the "Train of the Stars" due to its popularity among Hollywood celebrities.

  • 1934: The Santa Fe Railway launches the Chief, another premier passenger train, offering a more affordable option than the Super Chief but still maintaining a high level of service.

  • 1948: The Santa Fe Railway introduces the El Capitan, a streamliner passenger train that becomes famous for its distinctive "Warbonnet" red and silver paint scheme.

  • 1967: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway changes its official name to the Santa Fe Railway.

  • 1995: The Santa Fe Railway merges with the Burlington Northern Railroad, forming the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF). This merger creates one of the largest railroad systems in the United States.

  • 1996: The Santa Fe Railway is officially absorbed into the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), marking the end of the Santa Fe Railway as an independent entity.

Today, the Santa Fe Railway's legacy lives on through the continued operation of many of its routes by BNSF, as well as its historical significance in the development of the American West and its iconic role in passenger train travel.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

transportation engineering
Audiobooks about the history of Colorado.
The state capital, Denver, was originally called "Denver City" when it was founded in 1858. It was named after James W. Denver, the governor of the Kansas Territory, and the city's founders hoped that he would help promote their new settlement. However, Governor Denver never actually visited the city.
Colorado random facts
Douglas County, Colorado, is a county located in the central part of the state. Its history is deeply rooted in the early settlement of the American West. The land that would later become Douglas County was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne. In the 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in the area, primarily lured by the allure of gold and opportunities for farming and ranching.

In 1858, the discovery of gold in nearby Cherry Creek sparked the Colorado Gold Rush, bringing a wave of settlers to the region. This influx of people resulted in the eventual establishment of Douglas County in 1861, named after Stephen A. Douglas, a prominent Illinois senator. The county's original boundaries were much larger than they are today, encompassing vast portions of present-day Colorado.

The early years of Douglas County were marked by agricultural development and the growth of small towns. Early settlers faced challenges such as harsh weather, limited resources, and conflicts with Native American tribes. As the mining industry waned, agriculture grew in importance, with farmers and ranchers cultivating crops and raising livestock on the fertile lands of the county.

In the late 20th century, Douglas County experienced significant growth and urbanization due to its proximity to the Denver metropolitan area. The county's population grew rapidly, leading to the development of suburban communities and the expansion of infrastructure and services. Today, Douglas County is known for its high standard of living, excellent schools, and outdoor recreational opportunities, attracting residents who value the area's natural beauty and quality of life.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Douglas County, Colorado.

  • 1858 - Gold was discovered in Douglas County, leading to a gold rush in the area.
  • 1861 - Douglas County was officially established on November 1, becoming one of the original 17 counties of Colorado Territory.
  • 1875 - The Colorado Central Railroad extended its line to Castle Rock, connecting Douglas County to the rest of the state.
  • 1891 - The town of Parker was incorporated.
  • 1902 - The town of Castle Rock was incorporated.
  • 1917 - Daniels Park, a historical landmark, was established and named after Alexander "Alec" Daniels.
  • 1994 - Highlands Ranch, a master-planned community, was incorporated as a Census Designated Place (CDP) in Douglas County.
  • 2008 - Rueter-Hess Reservoir, the largest drinking water reservoir in Douglas County, was completed.