SOUTH FORK— In 23 years and hours of dedicated time, local South Fork resident Tom Kutzley created a replica of north Creede from 1892. The scale model is breathtaking in the fact that every detail from that era has been captured in its purest form. Buildings that no longer exist sit perfectly in the locations that historically resided back in the late 1800s. The scale model is a work of genius and has been donated to the town by Kutzley for their 125th anniversary.
For 37 years, Kutzley has been a full-time resident of the South Fork area and having retired from being an aerospace telemetry engineer after 17 years, he decided that he wanted to begin to create scale models of narrow gauge railroads in the San Juan region. “Most people don’t realize that we live in the geographic hub of narrow gauge railroads. I searched the entire area for subjects for my models and created a model for almost everyone. Then I found Creede,” explained Kutzley.
While looking for subjects to model, Kutzley came across a photograph of north Creede from 1892. It was then that he realized that instead of having to choose a section of the narrow-gauge railroad to use as his model, he would be able to capture the town in its entirety and could not have been more excited to do so. The model itself is roughly 15 feet in length and stretched across the large room below his South Fork home.
“I just love the fact that I can bring a 3D rendering of history to life for people. I do not want compensation for my donation to Creede. Just the fact that I know it is in a place that people will enjoy it for years to come is enough for me,” said Kutzley. He continued to explain that the rich history surrounding the Creede and South Fork areas is one that needs to be shared for years to come. “People know there is history here, but they don’t realize just how much there is. This is my gift to Creede.”
Kutzley spoke about the process it took to move the model from his home in South Fork to the chamber and its new home up in Creede stating that it took several months of planning and an entire night to move the model in two sections. “It needs to be said that Creede Manager Clyde Dooley is who began this adventure to begin with,” said Kutzley. He continued stating that Dooley not only put the project in motion, but took the time to find a new home for the model and the people that helped move the massive piece.
“Eric Grossman and Brad Ayers came to my home at 10 p.m. the night we decided to move the model with a truck. They waited until that late so that they could literally drive 10 miles an hour and not have to worry about impeding traffic. Eric road the entire way in the back of the truck with the model to make sure it stayed safe. None of this would have been possible without all of these people,” explained Kutzley.
Now that the model has found its new home, Tomkins Hardware in Creede has offered to donate any material needed to create the perfect display for the piece. The model is surrounded by the photographs used to recreate the locations and will also have a lighted valance and a plexiglass casing. There will be an unveiling of the model on June 13 in recognition of the 125th anniversary celebration.