The Colorado Midland Depot in Basalt, constructed in 1886, was the first passenger loading area and mail station in the central valley and served as the valley's transportation hub and the location of Basalt's main industry, making it a source of pride and the center of town, where many newly arrived residents spent their first night on its benches. In 1892 a fire devastated the western end of town and completely destroyed the depot, but it was quickly rebuilt. By 1919 the railroad had departed Basalt, beginning quieter years, and the building was moved 80 feet to the southeast to allow streets to be added. From 1930 onward, it was repurposed as an International Harvester dealership, a cheese factory, a liquor store, Swede's Standard Garage, a service station with a pizza place and an ice cream parlor, and then the Basalt Bank. In 1976 Alpine Bank purchased the structure, extensively remodeled it, and brought it to its current state.