Milner Pass Continental Divide Sign Kodachrome Slide #CML-4MU
Brief Description
A couple poses next to a Continental Divide sign in Colorado. This image was captured on Milner Pass, along Trail Ridge Rd in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Info
- Date: Circa 1952-'61
- Photographer: Unknown
- Medium: Kodachrome Slide
- Size: 35mm
- ID: CML-4MU
- Acquisition Date: March 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping, auto white balance.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
This slide has been dated to the period between 1952 and 1961. Historical dating of this image can be done by comparing the damage and wear on the sign to that which is seen in other images within this archive.
The sign was replaced by 1961.
Comments & Discussion
The arrows pointing to each ocean indicate that this sign was on the northern side of Trail Ridge Rd. This would have been the opposite side from where the Continental Divide sign is located now.
While the water would naturally flow towards one ocean or the other here, the reality is that some of the water that fell on the western side was being irrigated to the eastern side by the time that this image was captured. The Alva B. Adams irrigation tunnel opened in 1947 and began moving water across the Continental Divide in this location.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: The cardboard mount has 4 good corners and a darkened hue that is similar to the other red border Kodachrome slides from this era that are held within the archive. There is minimal edge wear showing on the red border side, with the top edge being the one that shows the most wear. There are no signs of browning or discoloration besides the overall darkened hue.
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.
