Alpine Tunnel Days 1968-08-04

This series of tapes, recorded by Dr. Charles Townsend, involves several speakers, including local historian Margaret Flick, on the history of the narrow gauge railroad line from Gunnison to the mining communities of Pitkin and Alpine Station. The highlight of this celebration is the tour to the Alpine Tunnel near Pitkin and the commemoration of its role in the old mining days.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Alpine Tunnel Days

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: August 4, 1968

Location: Atkin, Colorado

Interviewer: Charles Townsend

Length: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: (Tape one: 20 minutes), Introduction, Call for specific individuals, Log Cabin location, Mayor Wicks, Welcoming address, Neal Lexstrom (?), Saving Historical Points, Forester's interest, New approach - Whole environment, Recognition of contributors, Photo Metal Interpretive sign, Process, Recognition of contributors, Naming of Bonart Mt., Location of Bonart Mt., Dedication of Sign #1, Mrs. Bonnie Pearson - Thank You Speech, Mr. Anderson, Pitkin Baseball team, Quartz Sign Dedication, Howard Emerson, Biographical material

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: (Tape two: 5 minutes), Forester Fred Stillman comments to the audience on safety precautions

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: (Tape three: 45 minutes), Alpine station history, Last three miles of Alpine Tunnel, Mrs. P. Smith, Biographical material, Pitkin Fire, Profit from Grub-staking, Grubstake supplies, Childhood railroad trips, Pitkin school grades and Building, Teachers, Types of General merchandising store, Powder house, Scarlet fever incident, Churches, Poor families, Ceremony, Animal destruction of signs, Prayer - Singing of Hymns, Charley Webb, Motorcycle Herald history, Carole Sue Hank (Hack?), Value of a rare book, Tunnel construction building, Care of signs - informal agreement, Sign dedication to Geo. Champion, Short biography on G. Champion, Speed of freight train, Upgrade speed, H. D. Reuck -short biography, Kodak and meal ticket ownership, Cost of meals, Amount of coal used on a run, Size of fire box, Amusing railroad incident, Heating stove prank

Tape 3, Side 2: Blank

Tape 4, Side 1: (Tape four: 40 minutes), Question and answer period (H. D. Reuck), Train Route, Denver to Pueblo Wages, Wages Per month, Tons of coal from Denver to . . . Lake, Age of Reuck, Dow Helmars: Name of Pass, Altitude, Tunnel Building, Train Routes, Helper Engines, Dimensions, Fall-off, Tunnel Engineer, William H. Barr, Short Biography of Grandfather, Books published on Railroads, Mining in area, Leadville Highline, Coal used to deliver coal, Amount of water used, Location of tanks, Dedication of water tank, Neal Langstrom: Association with railroad, Dedication of Charley Webb Sign, Contributions to signs, Dedication of Charley Muller Sign, Dedication of Bernard Kelly Sign, Dedication of Dow Helmer Sign, Turn table operation, Buildings around tunnel, Alpine Tunnel, Elevation, Length, Opening and abandonment years

Tape 4, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1968

Bulk Dates: 1968

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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