Replica of the Hancock Depot in Fairplay?

[Kurt Maechner]

Back in 2003, when my wife and I drove through Fairplay, we passed what appeared to be a depot.  From the condition of the building, I surmised that it must be a recreation, albeit one that looked very much like a South Park depot.  It housed a business, a bank, if I recall.

Recently, I came across a photo of this structure online.  The website is titled Stourbridge Lion's Travel Log and is run by a couple named Darren and Lisa where they chronicle their railroad journeys through the world.  They mention that this building is a replica of the Hancock depot.  

I have more information and photos in this post including info on its recent sale.

Does anyone know if this is true?  Does anyone know the background of this building?

[ComoDepot]

Well they mentioned a few things that are not quite right. To my knowledge it has been a Realtor Office, thought it was for sale, not sure if it has been occupied in the last year or so.

I was told its history and forget so will find out.

[Kurt Maechner]

Yes, another example of inaccurate info, further down in their posting (rradventures) for their Colorado trip they assume that the McGees depot (that was once a bed and breakfast) is the actual depot, not a recreation, so I don't think their info is always accurate.

I would love to hear any history that you can trace on this particular dept.

[ComoDepot]

Well the Fairplay Depot was behind the Brewery, where I will be for the second half of the Broncos game and the Alma Ladies Belly Dancing, I kid you not.

Dog needs a walk to will go and have a look see.

[Todd Hackett]

If I remember correctly, this is the building that used to be an office at a trailer park or campground across US 285 from Antero Reservoir. I think it was moved it to Fairplay for the real estate office after new owners of the trailer park or campground build a larger building to replace it. It may have had some inspiration from Hancock, but it is far from an accurate replica. It's more of a generic South Park depot taking elements from Hancock (or the nearly identical Pitkin or some of the other very similar ones like Bailey) and Jefferson depots. The eaves are similar to Hancock (and Pitkin, Bailey, etc.), the bay windows have angled sides like Hancock et. al., but they don't have a separate roof under the overhang of the main roof, which is more like Jefferson. The baggage door arrangement, board and batten wainscoting, and lack of pointed trim over windows and doors are all more like Jefferson.

[ComoDepot]

Built in the 1980's, could not find out why they used that design, has changed hands a few time

Apparently recently sold, will be partly sub let.

[Kurt Maechner]

I was able to get ahold of the new owner and here is his reply:

Hi Kurt,
My name is Kevin.  My wife Teri and I just purchased the building at 601 Main St in Fairplay. I am going to put a guitar shop in part of it and lease the other space.

Jeni Freidrich forwarded your email to me.  I have been attempting to track down the history of the building. Some of the things I've been told I have been able to verify from another source but much is yet unknown.

What I do know is the building was built as a sales office for what was then Western Union Ranch (now the Ranch of the Rockies). It was built in about 1980 I think from circa 1880 plans of some train station. When it was moved to Fairplay, they added a basement/foundation and a back room.
It sounds like it's been a realty office since it's birth - Western Union Ranch, then Moore Realty, then Pine Cone then Sotheby's.

I would love to find out more about it as time goes on.

Kevin Moore
Resonance Guitars
(720)-833-8506