Moffat Tunnel Commission Photograph Collection

Collection

Identifier: C Photo Collection 523

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains 99 black-and-white photographs generated by the Moffat Tunnel Commission. Images document the construction of the tunnel (1923-1927), with some earlier mounted photographs (1910s?).

Dates

1910s, 1923-1927

Creator

Colorado, Moffat Tunnel Commission (Organization)

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

The Moffat Tunnel is a railroad and water tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. Named after Colorado railroad pioneer David Moffat, the tunnel's first official railroad traffic passed through in February 1928. The tunnel provided a western link from Denver, Colorado through the Continental Divide. It follows the right-of-way laid out by Moffat in 1902 while he was seeking a better and shorter route from Denver to Salt Lake City. The Moffat Tunnel averages 15 trains per day and the water tunnel delivers a portion of Denver's water supply.

Extent

1 photo box (.25 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift; Henry L. Stark; 2021.

Bibliography

The Moffat Tunnel Improvement District was an independent entity of the State of Colorado created to build and manage the Moffat Tunnel, a railroad and water tunnel under James Peak and Rollins Pass. The district had the authority to sell bonds backed by real estate taxes in the counties served by the Denver and Salt Lake Railway, which was the original railroad tenant of the tunnel. The district was originally governed by a five-member elected commission and existed from 1922 until 1998.