Tennessee Pass Continental Divide Sign Postcard #CT-S-29299-2
Brief Description
This image comes from a scanned color postcard that is held in the Coloradotopia Archives. This shows the Continental Divide sign at the top of Tennessee Pass, the stone historical marker next to it which bears a brass plaque, as well as a destination mileage sign on the right.
Info
- Date: Circa 1953-1964
- Photographer/Publisher: Noble Postcards
- Medium: Unused Postcard
- Size: 3.45" x 5.45"
- ID: CT-S-29299-2
- Acquisition Date: Feb. 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
This image can be dated to 1953 or later due to the ‘Colo. Dept. of Highways’ text on the bottom of these signs.
Take note of the unpaved road off to the right. This road was paved by 1964, so the gravel road that is shown here also helps to put a ceiling on the date range of this photo.
The brass plaque was added in 1929. That was the same year that similar plaques were added on Berthoud Pass and Wolf Creek Pass.
The graffiti on the left sign has increased since Image CT-124 was captured. There is at least 1 visible marking on the sign shown in image CT-124 which is also seen on this image. That is the black vertical marking below the second “N” in “Continental Divide”.
Backside
Comments & Discussion
This postcard was printed using a lithographic process. The higher resolution full scan below shows the dots that make up this photo. Those are a telltale sign of lithographic printing.
The image on this postcard shows this set of signs in terrible shape, having taken some damage as well as having acquired plenty of graffiti. Ski Cooper was still known as Cooper Hill at the time, and this ski area would have been just across the road to the right of this image.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: All 4 corners have suffered some damage, with the upper right being in the worst shape. The backside shows browning around the edges that appears to be genuine aging.
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.
