Restoring the Silverton Enginehouse is an admirable, very worthwhile and very hard project; needing lots of work and money.
I had the good fortune to visit with several of the workers doing restoration in the Enginehouse on Tuesday, Sept 2. That afternoon they were ripping up floor boards, examining the joists to determine just how the rails had been spiked originally.
They were also moving trash (and mining memorabilia) from the one side of which will hold the Casey Jones and #315.
The building itself is literally held together by steel cables which Jerry and others put into the vertical beams ten or so years ago. These pull together the sides of the Enginehouse. The weight of snow had pushed the roof down such that the sides were beginning to bulge.
Looking up at the rafters you can see new two-bys nailed alongside the original beams.
The San Juan Historical Society needs all the help and support that you can offer. As I read all of the glowing "posts" of encouragement, I realize that many of us want to help. Significant donations are really needed. However, at an absolute minimum, please join the San Juan County Historical Society. Annual membership is $15 for an individual. There is a category of Society Member for $60 per year. For more information about the San Juan County Historical Society, log onto their website.
Dues and correspondence can be mailed to
San Juan County Historical Society, PO Box 154, Silverton, CO 81433
Thanks for all the help you can provide.