A view of Main Street in Granite, Colorado, after the devastating fire of 1897. The Salida Mail reported on May 25, 1897: 'The town of Granite was almost entirely destroyed by fire yesterday. The origin of the fire was from a defective flue. The principal block of buildings, all of frame and log were completely destroyed. The property of the railroad was not damaged. The total loss was $10,000.00, fairly well covered by insurance.' Image courtesy...

The Ball Brothers operated a general store in Granite, Colorado in the late 19th century. Image courtesy the Patricia Bradbury Holton Collection.

The home of the Ball Family. This house was upriver above the Spurr's old home. Pictured are: Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Jim Ball's mother, Miss Ball, Mrs. Jim Ball, Jim (on the steps), Mattie Linphy (?) with babe, May Ball Whitson. This image is from the Patricia Bradbury Holton Collection.

Horace Tabor built and lived in this log house next to Cache Creek. It became a school in 1883. This image is from the Patricia Bradbury Holton Collection.

This is Yard & Jester's Blacksmiths & Wagon Shop. This image is from the Patricia Bradbury Holton Collection.

30 people died and 54 people were injured when Passenger Train No.2 went off the tracks about 2 miles northwest of Granite. The wreck was spread along the tracks in ‘zig—zag’ fashion and most of the dead were found in car #3. A commissioner’s report later determined that car #3 was at one point standing perpendicularly in the air before coming to a rest on its side in the Arkansas River. Dr. Larimer happened to be driving by at the time...

30 people died and 54 people were injured when Passenger Train No.2 went off the tracks about 2 miles northwest of Granite. The wreck was spread along the tracks in ‘zig—zag’ fashion and most of the dead were found in car #3. A commissioner’s report later determined that car #3 was at one point standing perpendicularly in the air before coming to a rest on its side in the Arkansas River. Dr. Larimer happened to be driving by at the time...