2008-03-03_PERMIT FILE - C2006085 ‎(32)‎

• Permit No: C2006085
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/3/2008
• Doc Name: Metcalfe Archaeological Consultants Cultural Survey
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit AF
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

COLORADO CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Rev. 9/98
Page 5 of
1. Resource Number: 5FN2217.1
2. Temporary Resource Number: _
Linear Component
I. RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION
OAHP141 S
1. Resource Number (include point number if applicable): 5FN2217.1
3. Resource Name:
4. Record of: entire resource _ segment X
II. RESOURCE DESCRIPTION
5. Resource Type: road _ railroad X ditch/canal _ trail _
Other (specify):
6. Resource Description: This site is an abandoned railroad grade located along the south edge of Chandler
Creek in the bottom of a small cannon south of the Arkansas River and southeast of Canon Citv. It lies
midway between Canon City and Williamsburg in Fremont County The soil in the surrounding floodplain
is a medium brown medium grained loamy sand with gravels and cobbles on the surface, mantled with
an apron of colluvial sands closer to the base of the ridges The cutbank of Chandler Creek indicates
episodes of high-energy sediment transport in the form of flash floods evidenced by an unsorted mix of
gravels cobbles and occasional boulders Vegetation in the area is sparse junipers and some pinyon
pines native bunch grasses sagebrush rabbitbrush cholla and prickly pear cacti and numerous forbs
in the floodplain The surrounding slopes are covered in an open pinyon/juniper woodland. Ground
visibili is about 30% The area is largely undisturbed by modern intrusions with acrowned-and-ditched
county road running parallel to the creek closer to the base of the southern ridge. The grade itself has
been impacted by erosion from the creek Some areas such as at the crossing of the proposed access
road are in good condition with the grade still intact and identifiable. Further southwest, the grade has
been impacted by the creek with portions mostly to completely eroded. The grade is within the viewshed
of the surface facility throughout the recorded length although it is directly impacted by the proposed
access road in only one spot
The Denver & Rio Grande (D&RG) Railroad Company had developed lines from Denver to Pueblo
using narrow gauge lines in the early 1870's the first in the U S This technology reduced building costs
and allowed for greater climbing ability important assets when building in mountainous Colorado.
Additionally the D8~RG installed the first air brakes onto their locomotives in 1872 in anticipation of
mountain lines Later that year the DSRG built a line from Pueblo to the coal fields just west of Florence
further up the Arkansas River Valley This line fed the smelting and steel industries in Pueblo. Because
the company could no longer fund construction efforts one of its construction subsidiaries took over the
line for two years (Fraser and Strand 1997) In 1884 the line from Florence to Canon City was completed
by the D&RG Railroad This railroad grade is likely a spur leading from a small mine (5FN1810) further
up the canyon reach to the main line creating a transportation corridor for the materials from this area to
Canon Cit and Pueblo
This site currently acts as a bank of Chandler Creek, which is located directly adjacent. The grade
is approximately 14 m in width at its base and about 2 m wide at the top. The height is about 7 m from
the creek bed to the top and about 1 5 m from the surrounding around surface. A wider ditch, likely the
borrow ditch used during construction parallels the grade on the south side and is about 50 cm deep and
7 m wide Scatters and small concentrations of red brick were observed within this ditch. All rails, spikes,
and ties were previously removed No ballast materials were in evidence so it is possible the ties were
laid directly on the earthen grade or the ballast material used was local sands and gravels. At the
crossing of the proposed access road the grade is in good condition although it is severely eroded m
various portions along the recorded length particularly to the southwest where Chandler Creek
encroaches on the grade
Colorado Historical Society -Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
303-866-3395