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Discover Mid-America — July 2004

Tiny Town, Colorado: Survival story in miniature

Three floods, a fire and hard economic times have threatened to wipe out Tiny Town, Colorado. But the oldest kid-sized village and railroad in the U.S. is thriving, providing what the Denver Visitor Guide calls ³inexpensive family entertainment.²

Tiny Town's kid-sized buildings inspire young visitors to explore. (Photo by Ken Weyand)

Located about 30 minutes southwest of downtown Denver, Tiny Town is nestled in a scenic mountain canyon at the site of the Denver-Leadville stagecoach stop. Volunteers have built more than 100 miniature buildings, including a turn-of-the-century downtown and residential area. Structures range from elaborate municipal buildings and mansions to colorful shops — some open for children to step inside, others protectively fenced. A mile-long Tiny Town Railroad takes children and adults on a loop around the town and up Turkey Creek Canyon. Two trains operate, one pulled by an authentic steam locomotive.

Tiny Town was the creation of George Turner in 1915. The Denver businessman built a village of miniature buildings in a scenic mountain canyon to delight his daughter. By 1920, the collection of tiny shops and houses had become a top tourist attraction. Turner sold the enterprise in 1927. Two years later, and again in 1932, floods damaged Tiny Town. In 1935, fire destroyed the village’s larger buildings, but the miniature buildings survived. The first Tiny Town Railway was built in 1939.

Another setback occurred in 1948 when Highway 285, which had run alongside the village, was rerouted. But visitors still found their way to the miniature town, which underwent another restoration effort by two families in 1965. However, a disastrous flood destroyed their efforts in 1969.

In 1972, Lyle Fulkerson, a railroad buff and master mechanic, began a restoration effort which ended five years later when Fulkerson was killed in a railroad accident. Tiny Town closed the next year. Four families who operated pony rides and a puppet theater on the site reopened it in 1980. But that effort failed, and the village closed in 1983.

In 1987, the Northern Colorado Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management adopted Tiny Town. Lots in the town were leased at public auction and new developers began building miniatures of businesses in the Denver area and elsewhere in Colorado. A non-profit foundation was established in 1989, and the Tiny Town Railroad resumed operation the following year.

My family and I visited the village on Mother’s Day weekend, the attraction’s second weekend of the season. The week before, workers had to clear snow from the railroad tracks, but now it was 80 degrees and beautiful. I talked to Jack Bradley, the unofficial mayor of Tiny Town, who serves as park manager. A veteran of several years, Bradley has seen the attraction through perilous times.

The South Turkey Creek and Tiny Town Railroad gets underway. (Photo by Ken Weyand)

“No one gets rich here,” Bradley laughed, “but we have a good time.” Bradley is especially proud of Tiny Town’s new weather station, mounted atop the concession building. Weather information is displayed in the gift shop.

“A TV station will be reporting the weather from Tiny Town this year as one of the area reporting stations,” Bradley said.

The attraction broke records in 2003 and averages more than 75,000 visitors each year. Not bad for a schedule that opens in May on weekends and continues daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. The village is open weekends only September and October. Adult admission is $3, and $2 for children 2-12. Children under 2 are free. Train rides are $1 for all ages.

Tiny Town is five miles west of the C-470/US-285 interchange. Take the South Turkey Creek Road turn-off from US-285 at the Tiny Town sign. For more information call (303) 697-6829 or visit the website: www.tinytownrailroad.com.

* * *

Collector opportunity

Dorothy Salyer, owner of Collectible Treasures in Grain Valley, MO, commented that my column about the Sedalia Depot last month reminded her of the 1890 stock certificates in the MK & T Railroad she inherited from her grandfather.

Salyer has certificates in $1,000 and $500 denominations, and is willing to sell. If you’re a collector, stop by her shop or call her at (816) 809-8535.

Discover Mid-America founder and Senior Contributing Editor Ken Weyand files regular reports on notable Midwest destinations. He can be reached at kweyand@gbronline.com or publisher@discoverypub.com.

> Traveling with Ken Archive — past columns