Independence Pass Continental Divide Sign Archive

This historical image archive has been created to document the Continental Divide signs on top of Independence Pass. Most of the images on this page have been scanned from photographs, slides, and postcards that are held in the Coloradotopia archives.

The Coloradotopia Archives. The archives contain hundreds of physical photographs, slides, motion films, other media, and small items focusing on Colorado’s Continental Divide and mountain automotive history. See the archives here.

c. 1953 or Later

Independence Pass old Continental Divide sign photo postcard in late summer

This image is scanned from a postcard that shows the Independence Pass Continental Divide signs, with a few patches of melting snow in the background. The image was likely captured sometime in the late 1950s.

1958

Independence Pass Continental Divide signs in 1958

A woman is pictured standing in front of the signs in 1958. This image is scanned from an original photograph that is held in the archives.

1959

photograph of Independence Pass Continental Divide signs in year 1959

The same set of signs is pictured here 1 year later in the summer of 1959.

1970

Independence Pass Continental Divide sign in year 1970 at summit of the pass

This image is scanned from a Kodak Kodachrome slide. It shows the new Continental Divide sign in 1970 that was recently added by the US Forest Service.

1974

Independence Pass Continental Divide sign 1974

This image shows the same Continental Divide sign as the previous slide, but with contrasting hues.

2019

Continental Divide sign on top of Independence Pass on the Continental Divide in Colorado

The modern Continental Divide sign is pictured here in 2019.

Continental Divide Signs

Berthoud Pass Continental Divide sign in 1963

All Coloradotopia Archives

Monarch Pass Continental Divide signs with the Hermit of Arbor Villa

About The Archives

Loveland Pass Continental Divide sign in year 1964

References & Credits

1.

Images Credits: Coloradotopia Archives, Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division/Carol Highsmith, Denver Public Library Special Collections,  Coloradohistoricnewspapers.org, Center for Land Use Interpretation, AdamTheBruce, Jeffrey Beall | More info