UNION DEPOT - 1894

The Ruins

In 1881, Denver's Union Depot replaced four rail stations, combining various operations and simplifying transfers. Sadly, a fire swept the depot on March 22, 1894.

"There were many narrow escapes from death by the firemen, and each new experience of this nature was received with a hush of awe by the spectators and a shout of rejoicing," a newspaper account said.

"It seemed to the spectator of the lurid scene as though it was but the burning of a toy paper house."

The loss, perhaps, wouldn't have been as great had the alarm been sounded sooner.

"The employees attempted to put out the fire and did not call the department promptly," the newspaper, the Fairplay Flume, reported.

The current Union Station opened in 1914.