The city of Trinidad was founded in 1876 and was considered at the time as a possible capital for the state of Colorado. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached Trinidad in 1878; then cattle began to be shipped by rail instead of driven through the middle of the city. Trinidad became a central location for wide-ranging ranching operations and a hub for train traffic. The Santa Fe Railway Depot was built in the early 1900s in Trinidad to facilitate this movement, but was eventually destroyed by a flood. The re-imagining of the Santa Fe train Depot is currently proposed to the City for re-build. The design intent is to mimic the mission style original, featuring a stucco finish, arcades, ceramic roofing tiles, curvilinear gables, and projecting eaves with exposed rafters.