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The Powerhouse Science Center is an interactive science museum located in Durango, Colorado, housed within a former power generation facility.

Visual Characteristics

The building is a rectangular, brick structure with a flat roof. It features large, industrial-style windows and a prominent smokestack. The exterior brickwork is predominantly red, with some areas showing signs of weathering. The interior retains some of its industrial character, with exposed beams and concrete floors in certain sections.

Location & Access Logistics

The Powerhouse Science Center is situated at 1333 Camino Del Rio in Durango, Colorado. It is approximately 1.5 miles south of the downtown Durango core, accessible via Camino Del Rio, which is a main thoroughfare. Parking is available on-site in a dedicated lot. The Durango Transit bus system services this area; Route 1 stops within a 0.2km walk of the facility.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building was originally constructed in 1927 as a steam-electric power plant for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Its purpose was to generate electricity for the railroad's operations. The structure is an example of early 20th-century industrial architecture.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can engage with over 300 hands-on exhibits covering various scientific disciplines, including physics, biology, and environmental science. Specific activities include interactive demonstrations, a planetarium show, and maker space workshops. The center also hosts rotating special exhibits.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited shaded areas are present in the outdoor exhibit spaces. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable within the building and immediate vicinity. Food vendors are not present within the science center, but several restaurants are located within a 0.5km radius.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography of the exterior is during daylight hours, particularly in the late afternoon when the sun illuminates the brickwork. For indoor exhibits, weekdays outside of school holidays generally offer a less crowded experience. The center is open year-round, with specific hours varying by season.

Facts & Legends

A unique aspect of the Powerhouse Science Center is its preservation of the original turbine room, which houses a restored 1920s steam turbine. Local lore sometimes refers to the building as having a "hum" from its operational days, though this is now purely anecdotal.

Nearby Landmarks

• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum (0.3km North)
• Animas River Trail (0.1km West)
• Durango Arts Center (1.2km North)
• Historic Downtown Durango (1.5km North)