In May of 2006, Sgt. Franklin Michelson of the Aurora Police Department discovered something unusual in an abandoned house in east Aurora. Prying off the plywood that covered the doors, he searched the house, moving from room to room in the dark. As he moved toward the center of the house, unsure of what he would find, his flashlight fell on a startling sight. A trolley was entirely encased in the home.

A boarded-up house holds treasure.

A forgotten trolley was found in the house.

In 1913 and 1914 the Denver Tramway Company purchased several trolley trailers from the Woeber Car Company. These 600 series trailers were pulled by trolleys around the metro area, including stops along Colfax in Aurora. Up to fifty commuters could sit in the trailer as they made their way between the businesses and shopping of Denver, and the quiet life of home in Aurora.

Thousands of people used the trolleys. They were often piloted by students of Denver University, earning the college the nickname “Trolley Tech.” Service along Line # 14 along Colfax Avenue to Geneva Street ran until Oct 11, 1932, when the line was cut back to Poplar Street in Denver.

Trailer #605 circa 1924.

A trailer interior circa 1924.

The trailers were put into storage for a few years, then loaned to the Denver Intermountain Railway for a brief time in the 1930s, transporting WPA workers to Morrison as they built the Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Again in storage, the trailers sat through the Second World War. There was talk of restoring them for use after the fighting ended, but Denver’s trolley service was abandoned in 1950. The trolley trailers were sold for $50 each. Dr. Edwin Perrott bought several, and moved one to his farm property east of Aurora.

The trolley trailer being turned into a house.

Trailer #610’s interior in 1952.

Additions were made around the trailer, turning the mode of transportation into a home. Since the trolley was almost completely surrounded by walls and a roof, the woodwork has remained in remarkably good condition.

Eventually the house fell into disrepair, and was boarded up. The owner of the land, Mr. William Perrott, son of Edwin, decided to sell the land, but needed to demolish the buildings remaining on the farm.

The front steps in 1952.

The trolley’s interior in 2006.

Realizing the historical significance of the trolley trailer, Sgt Michelson contacted the Aurora History Museum. After consultation with the owner, trolley experts and Weitz Construction Company, the Museum’s director determined that this was indeed one of the trolley trailers that traveled Colfax in the 1910s, 20s and 30s.

Mr. Perrott then donated the trolley to the Museum. Weitz Construction Company, Anderson Demolition, Duffy Crane Company, the Aurora Police Department, the Aurora Streets Department and the Aurora History Museum all collaborated to raise the trolley and move it to a storage location where it will be restored.

On July 6, 2006, The trolley trailer rode down Colfax Avenue for the first time in 75 years with the help of a City of Aurora flatbed.

Careful demolition of the house.

Trailer #610 is lifted onto a truck.

Download a short movie of the trolley’s move to storage here.

The restoration process will take several years and requires the help of the community. If you would like to contribute your time, talent or make a donation to this project, please contact Gordon Davis, Museum Director at 303-739-6433 or email gdavis@auroragov.org.

The Aurora History Museum would like to thank

Mr. William Perrott,

Darrell Arndt and the Rocky Mountain Railroad Historical Foundation,

Dan Meek,

Aurora Public Works Department, Streets Division,

Roy Barnes, Scott Underwood and Bill Lee,

Aurora Police Department,

Sgt. Franklin Michelson and Officer Tim Jeffery,

Ron Engelbrecht,

and



for their generous contributions to saving trolley trailer #610.

RADIO INTERVIEW ON COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
AIRED DECEMBER 15. 2006
Brian Shaw, Assistant Preservation Director at the Aurora History Museum spoke about the history of the trailer and its rescue with the host of Colorado Matters^TM, Ryan Warner

Hear the interview with Windows Media Player.

Hear the interview in MP3 format.

This audio is made available by permission of Colorado Public Radio.
Both audio files are the property of Colorado Public Radio, copyright 2006.

Colorado Public Radio is a state-wide network of classical music and news and information stations. This NPR affiliate produces the local interview program Colorado MattersTM, which airs every weekday at 10am & 7pm, and weekends at 3pm. View Details. The interview with Brian Shaw has been archived on Colorado Public Radio’s website. View Details.

TELEVISION NEWS COVERAGE ON 9NEWS
AIRED JUNE 6, 2006
KUSA, 9News in Denver was among the media invited to witness the rescue of Trolley Trailer #610. Appearing in this feature were Museum Director Dr. Gordon Davis and the trailer’s former owner, Mr. William Perrott speaking about the trailer and its potential.

Visit the 9News website to see the video.