Ruedi, Colorado, showing several buildings including the railroad depot on the left. "The first white man to settle in Ruedi was John Ruedi, who showshoed up from Basalt in the spring of 1885. He homesteaded what is now known as the J revers R Ranch. Bill Smith came in 1887 and homesteaded the YS Ranch.
The steel for the Colorado Midland Railroad was laid through the valley in 1887. The railroad company wanted ground for a depot and section houses. John Ruedi gave this ground with the understanding that the station would be called 'Ruedi.' The buildings were put up in 1887. In 1888, he gave an acre of ground for the school house. The Roaring Fork Plaster Mill was built in 1907 and operated until 1911. It was torn down in 1918. The Colorado Central Power Line was put through in 1908. The Colorado Midland Railroad ceased to operate in 1918." -- History of Eagle County, 1940, p. 229
