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Colorado Cultural Resource Survey <br /> Management Data Form <br /> Continuation (page 7 of 7) <br /> State Site#: 5LK50.5-9 and 5LK50.23.36 <br /> Temporary #-. N/A <br /> 43. Management Recommendations (Cont'd): <br /> 5LK50.35 - Segment 5LI(50.35 should be avoided by all project impacts, including heavy vehicle use and <br /> upgrading. If avoidance is not possible, the portion of the grade to be impacted should be photographically <br /> documented to Athearn's(1990)Level 11 standards prior to disturbance. <br /> 5LK50.36 - No further historical or archaeological work is recommended for 5LK50.36. <br /> General Site Description: <br /> The Denver&Rio Grande Railroad was the first railroad to extend its tracks to Leadville, reaching the <br /> town by way of Salida and Buena Vista. They began operation on August 2, 1880, and started building a line to <br /> the mines around Pryer Hill in 1881. Because of the large expense it had gone to in expanding their lines <br /> throughout Colorado, the Denver &Rio Grande Railroad went into receivership and was sold and reorganized <br /> in 1886. The Denver & Rio Grande extended its line 8 miles to Ibex in 1898 (LeoduiUe Herold Democred, <br /> January 1, 1899). In 1913, the Denver & Rio Grande added a third rail to the Graham Park and Woftne <br /> branches. In 1917, track from Leadville to Graham Park Junction and to Ibex was converted to standard <br /> gauge. On July 27, 1921, the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad took over the Denver & Rio Grande <br /> system. In 1941, the Denver & Rio Grande Western track to Graham park, Wolftone, North Moyer, and in <br /> California Gulch was removed because so few mines were in operation. In 1944, the Denver & Rio Grande <br /> Western branches to the Ibex and Chrysolite Mines were abandoned and the track removed(Osterwald 1991). <br /> Elsewhere in the state, the Denver&Rio Grande Railroad grade has been considered to be a significant <br /> cultural resource. This has largely been because of its role in the growth of transportation in Colorado, <br /> particularly in expanding into mining areas. Arguably, the mines around Leadville were the most important in <br /> Colorado. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad system that served the mines east of Leadville was a vital <br /> transportation link and contributed to the success of those mines. <br />