Wolf Creek Pass Continental Divide Sign Postcard #CWO-S32788-1
Brief Description
Two signs are shown on this Wolf Creek Pass postcard from the Coloradotopia archives. Wolf Creek Pass is the final paved crossing over the Continental Divide before it crosses into New Mexico.
Info
- Date: Circa late 1950s or early '60s
- Photographer: Unknown
- Additional Credits: Noble Post Cards
- Medium: Postcard
- Size: 5 3/8" x 3 1/2"
- ID: CWO-S32788-1
- Acquisition Date: April 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping, digital enhancements unknown.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
The postcard is unused, but has the date Aug. 3, 1964, written on the back. This is presumed to be the date that someone drove over the pass and bought this postcard nearby. The image was likely captured sometime in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
A sign would be erected by the US Forest Service in this spot by the year 1963.
Backside
Full Scan
The full scan of this postcard below was done @ 300 DPI with no digital enhancements. This shows the underlying dot patterns that make up this image. These dots are not really visible to the naked eye when viewing the postcard. Under the right light, vertical print lines can easily be seen in this postcard.
Comments & Discussion
These signs would have been added here by the state’s highway department. The spacing between the signposts indicates that the historical marker which was usually found between these signs was gone at this point. There are other images in this archive that also show the stone marker & brass plaque missing during this time period.
That marker, added in 1929, was gone for a period of time in the late 50s and early 60s. It was brought back for a few years and attached to the base of the US Forest Service’s Continental Divide sign when that sign was added in the early 1960s.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: There is an obvious dirt/grime smudge on the backside. The back has an overall darkened tone due to aging. The impression from the handwriting on the back can be seen on the front under glaring light.
About the Coloradotopia Archives. The Coloradotopia archives hold a large collection of historical images that document Colorado’s auto history in the mountains. You can read more about the Coloradotopia archive project here.
