Measures 192x18.” This very impressive large map at a scale of about 1” = 1300 feet is an original linen map with red and black ink showing the exact surveyed route of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad from Kenshaw Hill on the east to Trout Creek Summit at the west end, a distance of 41 miles. The map is the recorded copy by the Railroad made at the US Land Office in Leadville, February 7, 1880. It was filed “in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1875 pertaining right of way over public lands.”
      The map is notable for a number of reasons:
      1.It is one of two originals, the other held by the USLO.
      2.It is signed by the President of the rail, John Evans, and the Chief Engineer, L.H. Eicholtz. It is additionally signed by the corporate secretary, George W. Kassler
      3.The route was surveyed and adopted by the Board of the rail April 15, 1879.
      4.It shows the original route of the road, and how it was placed across and near several main wagon roads. Most of these roads are referred on the map as having one direction leading to Colorado Springs. Others refer to Leadville.
      There are some important observations:
      1.The site of the Colorado Salt Works is about 2.5 miles east of Trout Creek summit. The works and buildings are all shown.
      2.The rail crossed the Colorado Springs to Leadville via Weston Pass wagon road
      3.Rail crossed the middle fork of the South Platte at Geraud’s, then followed the main wagon road east along the foot of the bluffs above upper Trout Creek.
      4.Shows Johnson’s station at the East end, along Jefferson Creek.
      John Evans (1814-1897) was the second Colorado Territorial Governor. Born in Ohio in 1814, he graduated with an MD in 1838. A natural born leader, Evans was instrumental in the formation of medical societies, editor of a major medical journal, and worked with Congress to understand and prevent the spread of Cholera.
      President Lincoln offered him governorship of Washington territory, which he declined. A bit later, he was offered governorship of Colorado, which he accepted. It came at an all-important time in the history of Colorado, as the State was slated for statehood in short order. That plan was later scuttled as the result of the Sand Creek Massacre and other problems. In 1864, the Cheyenne were on the warpath against the invasive whites. A settlement was reached, but not all officers agreed. Thus when Gov. Evans left the state for Washington DC, a group of officers attacked the Cheyenne at Sand Creek near Fort Lyon and massacred the tribes. The repercussions were severe, inclusive of tabling the statehood issue. It also ultimately helped cost Evans his job. Evans was convinced that Colorado was going to be at the center of all railroad business in America. He invested heavily in Colorado rails, and was an officer or director of many. His accomplishments with the formation of Colorado rail lines are among the top two or three men in the state.
      George W. Kassler was a Colorado pioneer. He managed the second bank in Colorado in 1859. He was treasurer of Colorado City 1873-5
      Condition: Rip at the 72nd inch that goes slightly into map and a large rip that has removed the bottom right hand side of map (see photo). Fabulous find!

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