Milner Pass Continental Divide Sign Photograph #CML-3390

Brief Description

A man stands next to the Continental Divide sign on top of Milner Pass midway through the 20th century. The sign reads 10,759 feet, a measurement that remains the same today.

Info

Scanned with basic cropping, no enhancements.

Image use restricted.

Image Dating Comments

This slide can be dated to sometime between 1947 and 1952 by comparing the weathering and markings on the sign with other signs pictured in this archive.

This photo from 1947 has virtually no damage to the border area around the sign’s edge. Meanwhile, this photo from 1952 has some of the same damage and markings that are seen in this photo, plus the sign has some additional damage. Specifically, it has acquired some markings along the upper left edge by 1952, and those markings cannot be seen here.

Backside

backside scan of continental divide sign photo CML-3390 on milner pass colorado

Comments & Discussion

This photo came to these archives via a seller who had pulled this from a family photo album that they had acquired. The album included vacation pictures from road trips around Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma areas.

Many photos in this archive came from the states directly surrounding Colorado. This is where people traveled from most often during the first half of the 20th century. Many photos, including this one, also have men who are smoking because this was common during this time period.

Full Scan

full scan of milner pass continental divide sign photograph id CML-3390

Condition, Aging & Authenticity: There is no surface cracking or spidering. Mild browning can be seen around the edges as a sign of genuine aging.

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.

Milner Pass Signs

Milner Pass Continental Divide sign in 1952

Continental Divide Archives

Berthoud Pass Continental Divide sign in 1963

All Coloradotopia Archives

Monarch Pass Continental Divide signs with the Hermit of Arbor Villa