Roundhouse replica groundbreaking held at Paradise

Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony at the Paradise Center is the culmination of two years of work to bring back the historical roundhouse from Paradise’s past.

The roundhouse construction project will be a smaller representation of the massive 20-bay structure that once stood northwest of Paradise. That roundhouse, built in 1909, saw its heyday during the steam locomotive era and was dismantled in 1937 when diesel locomotive became the norm in the railroad industry.

The much smaller five-bay roundhouse will be constructed on the southwest corner of the 113-year-old elementary school’s playground. Site preparation started shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony with an estimated completion date around the first of August.

The ceremony started out with a presentation by Paradise Center Board President Dave Colyer.

“Since last year we have been working on an ambitious capital improvement plan with three main components: Number one is the installation of a new heating and cooling system in the classroom building. Number two, was the new restrooms and passenger lifts, in the classroom building, allowing public access to all levels of the building,” he explained.

“We are pleased to break ground today on our third major project since 2022, our NPRW roundhouse here on the Paradise Centers playground. This five-stall mini roundhouse will include exhibits on these themes: rail service, freight, life and business in Paradise and the tie treating plant. Grants from the Montana Department of Commerce, Historical preservation and tourism development, The Murdock Charitable Trust, Sanders County, and many local and nonresident donors have made these capital improvements. Volunteers have provided hundreds and hundreds of hours of labor,” he contintued.

Groundbreaking shovelers were board member Jo Hanson, who attend the Paradise school from grades 1-8, board president Dave Colyer, board member Kathleen Hubka, Shanna Miller, board member Jackie Colyer, board Member Susan Lepore, board member Carol Brooker, board member Karen Thorson, board member Mac Hall, board member Gin Weber and treasurer John Thorson.

At an estimated cost of $90,000, the mini roundhouse is being funded by grants and donations. The 1,500-square-foot structure will expand the center’s programs to preserve Paradise’s historical presence with the western expansion of the railroad.

The roundhouse will display items too large for current locations. One item in question is the velocipede, donated by Oly and Jan Oelschlager. It was once used by night watchmen to patrol the rail yards in Paradise.

All construction materials will be purchased from local suppliers including local contractors. The five carriage doors, for the front of the roundhouse, will be custom built by local craftsman, Rudi Boukal.

Donations for the project can be given online at paradisecentermt.org or mail contributions to PO Box 162, Paradise, MT. 59856