Berthoud Pass Continental Divide Sign Photograph #CB-172
Brief Description
A springtime snowpack can be seen on the Berthoud Pass ski slope behind this man and woman. The Continental Divide sign that is shown here was added by the highway department a few years prior to this. That department was also responsible for adding most of the other previous signs in this location, but not all of them.
Info
- Date: Circa 1952-'54
- Photographer: Unknown
- Medium: Photograph
- Size: 3 15/16" x 2 15/16"
- ID: CB-172
- Acquisition Date: 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping, color correction, auto white balance.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
The ‘VC’ Graffiti can be seen between the Pacific and Atlantic text in the center portion of this sign. That graffiti is pictured in several other images that are contained in the Coloradotopia archives. It is known that this text appeared sometime around 1952, and disappeared by 1954.
It is also known that this sign was replaced in 1954.
Backside
Full Scan
Comments & Discussion
The image on this photograph sits askew within its borders. It is also blurry, but can still be historically dated based on the graffiti and some other knowledge about these signs.
Hidden behind the man and woman, the text across the bottom of this sign reads “Colorado State Highway Department”. That department’s name would be changed in 1953, and the next signs that the department added here would have no name across the bottom. Signs that were added around Colorado after 1953 either had the new name of the department on the bottom or no name at all.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: The front surface is in good condition with little/no scratching, spidering or cracking. There is a small amount of delamination near some of the edges. The Kodak Velox Paper text on the back is still legible. The only darkening on the back from aging may be in the diagonal lines that are showing.
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.
