Loveland Pass Continental Divide Sign Photograph Circa 1969 #CL-APR70
Brief Description
This photo shows a couple on top of Loveland Pass, likely in 1969 during the middle of the summer. The large Continental Divide sign that is shown here was erected by the US Forest Service, and the empty signpost to the gentleman’s left still stands after having held up a second, smaller sign. That missing sign was put up at the same time as the larger one in 1965.
Info
- Date: Circa 1969
- Photographer: Unknown
- Medium: Original Photograph
- Size: 4" x 4"
- ID: CL-APR70
- Acquisition Date: Feb. 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned photograph with basic cropping, color enhancements to the cropped version. The full scan version shown lower on this page has no color enhancements.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
The photo was developed in April 1970, and it has the date ink-stamped on the front. However, the snowpack in the background is consistent with a much later month of the year, and there is no real possibility that this was taken in April or anytime in 1970 for that matter. This photo was likely taken in 1969 at the latest, possibly even sooner, and the photo was not developed until the spring of 1970.
Backside
Comments & Discussion
This photo was taken while facing towards the western/southwestern side of the Continental Divide. Arapahoe Basin is located just out of frame, to the right of this photo.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: The backside of the photograph shows that it was attached inside a photo album at some point. The full scan image of this photo that is seen above is fairly true to the actual color. There is a bit of a haze over the photo that was corrected digitally for the featured version at the top of this page.
The photograph has a slight concave shape upon receipt into the archive. The surface has little or no spidering/cracking. It appears that the slightest signs of cracking in the surface are beginning to show near the bottom-middle/middle-left area where the photo bends.
There is no browning on the edges. The backside also has “Kodak Paper” lettering printed on the back, but that ink has faded to the point that is can hardly be seen on the scan that is uploaded here.
About the Coloradotopia Archives. The Coloradotopia archives hold a large collection of historical images and items that document Colorado’s automobile history in the mountains. You can read more about the Coloradotopia archive project here.
