Description

MOFFAT TUNNEL COMMISSION, Grand County, COLORADO, original photographs, 1924 – 1925

Originally planned by The Denver & Northwestern Railroad, along with the Continental Tunnel Railway Company, the State of Colorado — through an act of the State Legislature, 1911 — acquired the Moffat Tunnel Project and its various rights-of-way.  The intent was to design and complete this project for both a railway and water transmission system.  The Denver & Northwestern Railway was to lease the Moffat Tunnel, after completion, for 50 years.  But this plan failed in the State Legislature.

The City of Denver, Colorado was the next governing agency to consider the completion of the Moffat Tunnel Project, 1913.  Denver City Council passed the concept; however, a legal suit was filed, Lord vs. Denver, and the Moffat Tunnel Project was put on hold once again.

In 1920, a State Constitutional Amendment was passed for the construction of three tunnels in Colorado, at the cost of $18,500,000.00.  The Moffat Tunnel Act was then passed in 1922, and finally the Moffat Tunnel Project was given the green light to go ahead.  The City and County of Denver created an improvement district that included Grand, Moffat and Routt counties, along with portions of Boulder, Adams and Jefferson counties.  The Moffat Tunnel Act granted $6,700,000.00 to the construction of the Moffat Tunnel Project.

Moffat Tunnel bonds were issued, and in September 1923, the firm of Hitchcock & Tinker were given the contract to begin construction.  The first train traveled through the Moffat Tunnel on February 14, 1928, at the final cost of $15,470,000.00.

There are 78 original MOFFAT TUNNEL COMMISSION photographs in this lot.  ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ORIGINALS from 1924 – 1925.  (These are not reprints or reproductions!!!)

Average dimensions of each photographic image: 8 inches by 10 inches

The majority of the photographs were mounted on linen: 61; not mounted on linen: 17.

Photos “Made by Ford Optical Co., 1029 – 16th Street, Denver, Colorado”

Photographs were taken of both the East and West portals, as they were excavated and constructed at the same time.

All photographs are near fine to fine condition: some show a bit of lightenness; but for the most part, the photographs in this group have very strong tones & contrasts, resulting in excellent detail.

SOLD AS A SET only.  We will not sell separate original photographs, reprints or reproductions.

COLORADO ARTIFACTUAL