Rabbit Ears Pass Continental Divide Sign Kodachrome Slide #CRA-G6
Brief Description
Pictured here: a man on Rabbit Ears Pass pointing towards the Continental Divide historical marker, and the Rabbit Ears geological formation in the distance.
Info
- Date: Circa 1954 or Later
- Photographer: Unknown
- Medium: Kodachrome Slide
- Size: 35mm
- ID: CRA-G6
- Acquisition Date: February 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping, digital enhancements unknown
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
The Continental Divide sign on the left has the name ‘Colo. Dept. of Highways’ across the bottom. That department’s name was changed to this from the Colorado State Highway Department in 1953, and these signs were replaced or repainted early in the same year.
This archive has photos of the sign from the spring of 1953 that show the left sign had a clean white coat of paint at that point.
The patterns in the remaining snowpack indicate this is also a spring image. However, there is graffiti and wear visible on these signs. The earliest that this image was likely captured would have been the spring of 1954.
Staff Comments & Discussion
This was a popular spot for photographs along the side of US Highway 40 during this era. A group with a travel box on their car can be seen picnicking or camping in the background.
These signs are gone now, but the stone marker remains in this spot. This is now a dirt road that is still frequently used by campers and hikers. The Rabbit Ears Pass Trailhead is located just behind this area now.
This slide was just the 4th item acquired for the Coloradotopia archives as the collection began to grow.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: The slide needs cleaning upon its arrival into the archive, and has not yet been cleaned. The front of the cardboard mount only shows hints of aging. The red border on the back shows some obvious fading and 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.
