Near Lake George in Park County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Footpaths to Highways
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2020
1. Footpaths to Highways Marker
American Indians who came to hunt, collect natural salts, and soak in hot springs established routes through the landscape as they traveled between their summer and winter homes. Other travelers used the same paths, and ultimately built railways and highways along them.
Monntain men and trappers arrived in the early 1800s. They were followed by a flood of miners in 1859-60 seeking fortunes in gold and silver. Some miners stayed and became ranchers.
By the 1880s, two railways traversed South Park — the Denver, South Park & Pacific (DSP&P) and the Colorado Midland. The Midland survived until World War I by carrying tourists on sightseeing, wildflower, and hot springs excursions. The DSP&P lasted until 1937. It was largely supported in its later years by traffic to and from the Climax Molybdenum Mine near Leadville. By 1916, four state highways traversed South Park.
Captions:
Top right: Ute Indian trail
Middle left: Hartsel Hotel
Bottom left: Today's travelers on US Highway 24 drive a large portion of the Colorado Midland
this page online
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 39° 2.264′ N, 105° 31.549′ W. Marker is near Lake George, Colorado, in Park County. It can be reached from U.S. 24. Marker is located at Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake George CO 80827, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bayou Salado "Salt Marsh" (here, next to this marker); Fire Nature's Own Cleanser (here, next to this marker); Digging In (a few steps from this marker); Turning Gold Fields into Fields of Green (a few steps from this marker); Enough Water for Everyone? (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2020
2. Footpaths to Highways Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
