Re: Need Your Help

Agreed, the hand painted ones are the best.

For many years while living and working in Durango, I always “eyeballed” the remains of the freight section of the Mancos depot, west of Durango. It was apparent that this portion of the structure had been slightly relocated and was being used as an outbuilding. The station sign, even though un-readable, was still attached to the surviving freight end of the depot. One day, when my wife and I were passing through town, I finally decided to work up the courage to go ask the owners of the property if they would be willing to part with the sign. It turned out that the property was for sale, and the house was empty. The real-estate office was there in Mancos, so I went there to talk with them about my request and to see if I could contact the owner. It turns out that the property was owned and being sold by an investment group. The local realtor gave them a call (New York) and explained what I was interested in and was willing to pay or replace in kind. They said “as long as it doesn’t detract from the looks of the house….take it.” The local realtor typed up a letter indicating it was OK for me to go to the property and obtain the artifact. I immediately went home (Hermosa), grabbed a ladder and a friend from the railroad to assist, returned to Mancos and with very little effort, removed the sign from the remains of the depot. After getting it home, I could see where the grain of the wood was raised where the lettering was applied by hand, even though the paint was long gone. I very carefully took a sign lettering brush and re-painted the letters. I believe the remains of the freight section are no longer there, so I guess I was lucky to get it when I did.