1958 Milner Pass Continental Divide Sign Image #CML-58SWA

Brief Description

This image shows a pair of boys next to the Milner Pass Continental Divide sign in Rocky Mountain National Park. The sign is located on Trail Ridge Rd, near the western side of the park. 

Info

Scanned by the Swaney family.

Image use restricted.

Image Dating Comments

The date of June 12, 1958 has been provided by the Swaney Family for this image. 

Comments & Discussion

The snowpack and image date indicate that this sign must have been added sometime during 1957 or earlier. This is around the same time that signs like this were added around Colorado. The others were added by the Forest Service, while this one was likely added by the National Park Service.

The previous sign was smaller and located on the opposite side of the road. The sign looks fairly new, with little or no aging visible. The same sign can be seen here several years later with much more weathering.

This sign would be refurbished by 1963, with a contour pattern added to the edges and a fresh later of paint.

Notice the perfect edge on the snowbank? This is created by the rotary snowplows that are used to open Fall River Road each spring. 

The image below was developed the year before the Continental Divide sign image.

Snogo rotary snowplow in rocky Mountain National Park in year 1957
Snogo in RMNP, June 1957

Condition, Aging & Authenticity: This image is not held in the Coloradotopia Archives Collection.

About the Coloradotopia Archives Collection. The Coloradotopia archives hold a large collection of historical images and items that document Colorado’s ski and automobile history in the mountains. Subscribe to the Coloradotopia newsletter to receive weekly updates on new items as they’re added to the archives.

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