The Historical Society of Oak Creek & Phippsburg was initiated by a group of concerned citizens that banded together and formed this society in 1998. It grew as a result of an interest in preserving the local history of the Upper Yampa Valley, especially Oak Creek, Stagecoach and Phippsburg in Routt County, Colorado. The organization was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 2001 and then it raised funds to renovate the Old Town Hall building (1927) for the current home of The Tracks and Trails Museum, which was dedicated on July 28, 2007.

Contact Information:
Historical Society of Oak Creek and Phippsburg
P.O. Box 1
Oak Creek, CO 80467
970.736.8245
tracksandtrailsmuseum@gmail.com

Current Activities:  We are a very active group - for additional information & photos please visit our Tracks & Trails Museum Website with provided links.   

* Labor Day Weekend Events

* Ladies Tea

* Holiday Festivities

 * Booth at 4th of July

*Holiday Craft Fair in Yampa.

* A work group meets at the Museum every Wednesday morning from 10 to noon.

* Grant writing

* Categorizing and indexing photos to prepare to scan.

* Gathering information and publishing pamphlets.

* Maintain and improve the Bucket Park on Main Street in Oak Creek.

This is just a bit of what we do and but we need your help.  There is oppertunity for you to volunteer, become a member or to finanically contribute.  We are also always looking to add to our collection of photos, documents, artifacts, the history & stories of the area. 

The Museum

Our first goal of the Historical Society was to preserve Old Town Hall on Main Street in Oak Creek. We pursued grants to pay for renovation and the cost of utilities. Built in 1927, Old Town Hall (Tracks & Trails Museum) has been accepted as a Historic Building for Rout County. We feel both the historical aspect of this building and its central location on Highway 131 made it the obvious choice for a local museum.

The Station

In 2011 we expanded our dream to include the purchase of "The Station" that sits directly across the now fully functional Museum. The station sits on the corner of Moffat and Main Steet (Hwy. 131).   The History: In 1936 Martin Meyers purchased the lot and on it were several out buildings, including the original Mahoney log homestead, some out buildings and on the corner, the "Notion Shop".  Meyers removed the existing buildings on his lot and had "Spud" Branson design and build the unique rounded rood service station that still stands today.  Through the years, to name a few, it was: Myers Standard Station, Myers & Berg Service Station, the (Bernard) Kuskie Station, a feed store, a log furniture store, and a funding & real estate office. The Future: The Historical Society is currently seeking Historic Designation on the property.  We will also actively pursue grants and to raise funds to do basic renovations.  

Bernard's Mobil Station, 1966

The Phippsburg Railroad Display

Another part of our museum anex is the Phippsburg Railroad & Caboose Display at the Phippsburg Community Park in Phippsburg Colorado.  The park railroad display dedication took place in 200.  In 2008, the Historical Society added a D&RGW Caboose to the existing railroad collection.  The History of the Caboose: The D&RG Railroad Company owned the 1955 caboose, later the U.S. Department of Defense painted it black and attached it to a train that carried a missile, which they had to disarm after it had been in a train wreck. The missile was then transported across Colorado. The caboose was donated to the Historical Society of Oak Creek & Phippsburg by the Union Pacific Railroad with the effort of W.J. Holtman, Director of Operations, and L.E. "Dutch" Ebaugh, Retired Equipment Operator. Currently: The caboose in 2010 and 2011 is being restored to it's original glory.  A picnic is planned July 9, 2011 at noon to showcase the preservation.  To get there travel one block west of Hwy. 131 to the Phippsburg Community Park.

Contact Information
Historical Society of Oak Creek and Phippsburg
P.O. Box 1
Oak Creek, CO 80467
or email Mike Yurich