Berthoud Pass Continental Divide Sign Photograph #CB-C49S
Brief Description
This photograph from the Coloradotopia archives shows a family in front of the Continental Divide sign on Berthoud Pass sometime around 1949. A small ski lodge can be seen in the background. The roof of the main Berthoud Pass Lodge which opened in 1949 can be seen rising behind it.
Info
- Date: Circa 1949
- Photographer: Unknown
- Medium: Photograph
- Size: 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"
- ID: CB-C49S
- Acquisition Date: February 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping, no enhancements.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
The back has the note “approx 1949” written in pen. The Berthoud Pass Lodge was either recently finished or nearing completion in this image, so it’s possible this image was captured in 1950.
Backside
Full Scan
Comments & Discussion
Take a look at these freshly painted signs before they were covered with graffiti. The main thing that sets this group of signs apart from the ones in the previous era is the presence of the historical marker panel that is added perpendicular to the main sign.
The chairlift was located across the road from this parking area. The sign on the small building behind these people indicates that this was a small lodge where lift tickets could be purchased. This lodge was only here for a short period of time.
The area pictured here was home to the Berthoud Pass Inn during the 1920 and ’30s. The lodge was taken down in 1937, and a small replacement inn was built shortly after that. At some point in the 1940s, that smaller inn was replaced by this lodge in roughly the same spot. This lodge would stay until the early 50s.
The vehicle on the left is likely a 1948 or 1949 Hudson Super six.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: The backside shows mild darkening due to aging, especially in the bottom half. Major cracking and spidering of the front surface has begun.
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.
