Tennessee Pass Continental Divide Postcard #CT-595
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Brief Description
This early sign from Tennessee Pass was erected on the Continental Divide by the US Forest Service. This shares the same design as other signs from the Continental Divide during the early 1900s. This image was scanned from an original postcard that is held in the Coloradotopia archives.
Info
- Date: Circa 1910s or 1920s
- Photographer: Unknown
- Add'l Credits: Davis Drug Co., The Albertype Co.
- Medium: Postcard
- Size: 5 1/2" x 3 3/8"
- ID: CT-595
- Acquisition Date: Oct. 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Scanned with basic cropping.
Image use restricted.
Image Dating Comments
These signs could be seen around Colorado during the early 1900s. This postcard can be dated to this general era based on general knowledge of these signs. A similar traveler registration box has been spotted in Berthoud Pass photographs from as late as 1935, but these signs are generally associated with a period during the 1910s and 1920s.
Full Scan
Comments & Discussion
While the Continental Divide sign takes center stage of this postcard, the traveler’s registration box might be the more interesting thing here for many observers. These boxes have not been seen on Colorado’s mountain passes for more than half of a century, but there was once a time when these were commonplace. The registration boxes would make a return to some of these passes around 1950, but those were only seen for a period of a few years at that point.
The image on this postcard was captured while looking to the east. The Continental Divide can be seen in the background. Tennessee Pass is located in an area where the Continental Divide runs north-south for a brief distance.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: The front surface is free of any scratches or damage. There is a uniform matte surface on the front with no glossiness. The bottom-right corner is in the worst condition of the 4, but the other 3 corners are in good shape for a postcard of this age.
The backside has moderate discoloration due to aging, and ink from the lettering on the front can be seen bleeding through to the back.
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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.
