Powderhorn in Gunnison County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Saguache and San Juan Toll Road
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Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 2025
1. Saguache and San Juan Toll Road Marker
Lake City was founded in 1874 to support mining ventures high in the San Juan Mountains. The discovery of gold near Lake City in 1875 resulted in the construction of the Saguache and San Juan Toll Road.
The Saguache and San Juan Toll Road connected the ranching communities of Saguache with Lake City. Built by Enos Hotchkiss, this route over Cochetopa Pass allowed miners and settlers to access the mountains from the north. Construction began in May 1874 and used historic paths and routes used by Ute and Mexican traders over Cochetopa Pass.
Between 1876 and 1885 this same route was used by the Barlow & Sanderson's Stage Co. with regular service. One of the main stops was named Barnum for Lewis Barnum, a section agent for the stage company. Barnum stage stop included a large drive-in barn, corrals, and provided overnight accommodations and food for travelers. The stage took thirty-six hours to travel 95 miles from Saguache to Lake City and cost $14 per person.
[background image caption] A Barlow & Sandersons Stagecoach
Erected by Western Colorado Interpretive Association and Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1874.
Location. 38° 17.649′ N, 107° 13.3′ W. Marker is in Powderhorn, Colorado, in Gunnison County. It is on State Highway 149 at milepost 93, just west of County Road 25, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in a pull-out on the west side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Powderhorn CO 81243, 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 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Old Spanish Trail (here, next to this marker); Lost in a Blizzard (here, next to this marker); People of the Shining Mountains (approx. 3.9 miles away); Keeping the Peace (approx. 3.9 miles away); Powderhorn Valley (approx.
Courtesy Denver Public Library Western History Department
2. Marker detail: Barlow & Sanderson Stage Lines in Colorado and Northern New Mexico, circa 1885
Also see . . .
1. Transportation: The Toll Roads (Town of Lake City).
Excerpt: Road building in the Lake City vicinity began with the Saguache, Los Pinos, Lake Fork, and Upper Rio Las Animas Toll Road Company incorporated on September 16, 1873 by eight businessmen from Del Norte and Saguache. This enterprise was reorganized as the Saguache & San Juan Wagon Toll Road incorporated on March 9, 1874 with $40,000 in stock and terminus points the upper crossing of the Saguache River on the east and Baker's Park on the west. Otto Mears was a major investor in the company, recalling forty years later: At that time Lake City was not known so I built a road to that point and organized Lake City and built a newspaper there. Enos T. Hotchkiss was commissioned to survey and construct this road. The first stagecoach arrived in Lake City on July 11, 1875, inaugurating the Barlow and Sanderson's tri-weekly service(Submitted on January 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)to Lake City from Saguache.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 20253. Saguache and San Juan Toll Road MarkerThis is the rightmost of three interpretive panels at this location.
2. Early Mining and Transportation in Southwestern Colorado 1860-1881 (Legends of America).
Excerpt: Much of the San Juan mining excitement in the mid-1870s was attributable to rich finds made outside Lake City when Enos Hotchkiss, a partner with Otto Mears in the construction of the Saguache and San Juan Toll Road, located the Hotchkiss mine in 1874, three miles south of Lake City, which later became the well-known Golden Fleece. With the opening of that mine, a significant rush occurred locally, and Hotchkiss, with others, incorporated the town of Lake City in 1875.(Submitted on January 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 75 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
