1952 Berthoud Pass Continental Divide Sign Photograph #CB-6552
Brief Description
This photograph shows a man posing next to the Continental Divide sign on Berthoud Pass in 1952.
Info
- Date: June 5th, 1952
- Photographer: Unknown
- Medium: Original Photograph
- Size: 5 3/4" x 3 7/8"
- ID: CB-6552
- Acquisition Date: April 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping, no enhancements.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
The date of June 5, 1952, is handwritten in pen on the backside. If you want to determine the date of another photograph from this era, take note of the graffiti that is shown here.
Comments & Discussion
This sign was added in the late 1940s when it replaced a similar sign that had been broken. The Continental Divide marker from 1929 can be barely seen along the left edge of this photo.
The spring snowpack is still melting in this image. The temperatures at night in the beginning of April can still dip below freezing, but the afternoon sun means t-shirts and smiles. There would have still been people skiing on the pass at this point, but it would have been more for novelty purposes.
The Berthoud Pass Lodge and a smaller ski lodge can be seen in the background.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: Very faint Kodak Velox markings can be seen on the backside. The handwritten date shows mild signs of fading. There is little or no darkening of the backside due to aging. Aside from a mark in the very top-left, the front’s surface is in wonderful condition, with no real signs of aging yet.
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.
