World’s Wonder View Tower

Listed: 2017

Constructed: 1926

Threat: Site closed; demolition by neglect

Closest Town to Resource: Genoa

Significance: The World’s Wonder View Tower is a lasting vestige of this unusual and distinct roadside architecture that has intrigued tourists traveling across Colorado’s Eastern Plains along Interstate 70 and Highway 24 near Genoa for nearly a century. Charles Gregory and his partner Myrtle LeBow began building a roadhouse, café, and filling station at the site in 1926; they soon started constructing an “observation tower and elaborately equipped recreation camp.” The tower would become the highest point between New York City and the Rocky Mountains (a fact confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey). The claim that one could see six states from the top of the tower (Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and New Mexico) was published by Ripley’s Believe It or Not in 1933. The tower quickly became the primary attraction in Lincoln County, CO, and was featured in guidebooks from the 1930s until 2013. A partnership of artists, writers, and preservationists purchased the site and is working to preserve it.

Site Needs: Development of Master Plan, Funding

Update: In early 2018, a Historic Structures Assessment was completed for the property, and redevelopment efforts are progressing. A successful mothballing effort occurred in late 2018 to better secure the property, and extensive clean-up and an inventory of the site’ s vast artifacts are underway. A major $1.2 Million Colorado Creative Industries grant has been approved, and plans include a possible restaurant, museum, art studios, residencies, a community meeting space, and arts programs and tours. Another grant from DOLA’s Rural Economic Development Initiative was applied for in 2022.

Hugo Roundhouse

Threat: Demolition by neglect; vacant

Closest Town to Resource: Hugo

Significance: Listed on the State Register of Historic Properties, the Union Pacific Railroad roundhouse was established in 1909 and is the only brick-constructed roundhouse in the Union Pacific inventory. Roundhouse Preservation, Inc., the nonprofit formed by concerned local citizens to develop and implement a preservation plan for the Roundhouse, has produced a great deal of progress and success in recent years. Even after strong winds toppled nearly the entire north wall, insurance funds were fortunately available to complete a high-quality masonry reconstruction. Due to ongoing cooperation between Roundhouse Preservation, Inc. and the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Roundhouse was recently selected to receive $555,000 in federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to rehabilitate the entire roof structure. The next phase of work will include restoring the windows and doors towards the eventual reuse of the Roundhouse as a museum and community meeting space. CPI currently holds an easement on the property.

Site Needs: Ongoing funding for site interpretation and interior elements.

Update: Work is moving forward with the roundhouse, as the site received the EPP Progress Award in 2016. New windows have been installed, and they continue to acquire items for the new museum tied to its railroad heritage. Grants from CDOT and the State Historical Fund have been received for exterior rehabilitation. The site also helped host the appearance of Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” steam engine in late 2019.

Union Pacific Pumphouse

Constructed: 1870s

Threat: Demolition by neglect; proximity to railroad tracks

Closest Town to Resource: Kit Carson

Significance: The Union Pacific Railroad Pumphouse in Kit Carson supplied water for steam engines and is believed to have been constructed in the 1870s. Located at the end of the rail line, Kit Carson boomed to a population of 1,500 and became a junction point for the Kansas Pacific route and the first passenger train to Denver. The Kit Carson Historical Society currently leases the building from Union Pacific but cannot fundraise or perform the necessary repairs until they are notified if the Pumphouse must be moved or can remain in place.

Site Needs: Union Pacific conversations to allow the site to remain in place if other provisions are met, stabilization of the site.

Update: CPI has been working with the Historical Society to plan a response to Union Pacific. UP has stated the property is too close to the track and needs to be moved or demolished. Moving would likely require dismantling the building. CPI has reached out to other states and communities for examples of “wins” with the railroad companies. The Chamber of Commerce in Kit Carson County also supports efforts to save the pumphouse. After a long hiatus, CPI reestablished contact with the site, engaged a group of Senior engineering students at UC-Denver to complete a structural analysis and preservation plan, and reestablished a connection with Union Pacific. Future work depends on the railroad.