1862 Stage Station Restoration

We are the Virginia Dale Community Club, established in 1921.  Virginia Dale is a small, rural ranching community in Northern Colorado.  As a Club, we own the Virginia Dale Overland Stage Station which was built by the famous Jack Slade for Ben Holladay who owned hundreds of miles of freight and passenger trails, in 1862.  This Station is one of the last stage stations on its original site on the Overland Trail in Northern Colorado.  It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.  Current visitors are awed by the peace and beauty of this valley and can visualize the stagecoaches rumbling to the Station for a change of horses.  Because it was a “home station” passengers could get a meal and stay overnight if necessary.  Also, many wagon trains stopped to rest on their way West to a better life and/or to search for gold.

In 2012, we began our Stabilization and Restoration Project to arrest and correct the leaning and restore it to its original proud position.  We wanted to restore the original front porch and prevent further damage from nature’s elements.  We had been charged to preserve this great piece of our American History, built during the Civil War, to share through future generations.

By enlisting all volunteer labor, we were able to decrease the initial estimated cost from $325,000. dollars down to about $200,000.  This approximately 20’ x60’ square-log building has been stabilized, new period-appropriate windows were installed, twisted and charred ceiling joists replaced, used brick chimney for the wood-burning stove was constructed, a new bead board ceiling was installed and the electrical service was brought up to code.  The building has been re-chinked inside and out and the outside repaired where necessary with clap boards, the fireplace chimney has been repaired and caulking and trim done around all the windows.  The doors have been repaired and the front porch has been constructed.  The new roof on the Station, and the front porch roof still need to be done, a safety railing on the porch, and the interior work still needs to be completed.  Lights will also need to be installed and outside clear finishes will need to be applied.

Money raised by this GO FUND ME page will go toward the remaining items stated above.  In addition to being a national landmark, and a popular educational site for school curriculums, the Stage Station and Hurzeler House next door, in addition to the “little white church” on Hwy 287, are the heart of the Virginia Dale community.  In its 155 years, it has also been a post office and residence, general store, dance hall and even had gas pumps once the automobile came to the area.

The Club is a Colorado Non-Profit entity and we want to educate as many adults and children as possible about its value to the Westward Migration and transportation system that finally reached from coast to coast.  More information and many photos can be found on our official website:  www.virginiadalecommunityclub.org
and our Facebook page .
We also offer tours that include maps, photos, and interesting stories.

We thank everyone who can help us achieve these goals which will help us continue to celebrate the lives of early pioneers and to share the Stage Station with the public far into the future.  Tours are by appointment. Please go to the website for details.  Thank you.