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The Great Gates Blog dives into the intertwined histories of Rollins Pass and the Moffat Tunnel, highlighting their significance in shaping Colorado’s landscape. With a focus on accuracy and long-term preservation, our blog offers stories that typically prioritize depth and historical clarity over breaking news.
Welcome to The Great Gates Blog, the official blog of Preserve Rollins Pass. Here, we explore the deeply intertwined histories of both Rollins Pass and the Moffat Tunnel—two remarkable achievements and areas that have shaped Colorado’s landscape and transportation history. Whether you’re driven by a passion for preserving historical landmarks, eager to explore the untamed beauty of Colorado’s high country, or fascinated by the stories, structures, and engineering marvels that have shaped this region in Colorado, The Great Gates Blog offers a deep wealth of insights and narratives waiting to be discovered. Join us as we journey through time and terrain, advocating for the protection of these timeless ‘great gates’ and their legacies for future generations.
In line with our mission to preserve and protect these landscapes, we also approach storytelling and updates with patience and deliberation. In The Great Gates Blog, we prioritize a long-term perspective, where the enduring significance of preservation efforts becomes clear over time. We believe that the most meaningful stories about preservation, history, and landscapes are those that take time to unfold. As a result, you’ll rarely find posts discussing breaking news or recent developments. Instead, we take the time to evaluate the efficacy of projects and initiatives, and only after their outcomes are clear—often months or even years later—will we share insights and reflections. This approach allows us to provide thoughtful and measured content that contributes to a deeper understanding of our work, providing readers an opportunity to engage with stories that have lasting significance, far beyond the immediacy of the moment.
This approach extends to our commitment to accuracy. Accuracy is a cornerstone of our work. Wherever possible, we rely on original sources to tell the most authentic version of events and deliberately point out speculation or conjecture when original sources cannot be found. However, even original sources like newspapers, which sometimes relied on telegraph messages for their reporting, were susceptible to errors. The brevity and speed of telegraph transmissions often led to the omission of crucial details or slight misinterpretations, which could unintentionally distort the facts. To ensure accuracy, we carefully cross-check information across multiple sources and highlight where discrepancies might have occurred. As we expressed in our first book, “This legendary slice of Colorado is surrounded by many myths and factual inaccuracies; this book tries to dispel fiction wherever possible.” Similarly, our blog continues this tradition, providing direct and unfiltered insights without relying on a reporter’s lens. Please enjoy!
We are in the process of moving our historical posts from Facebook to this blog. As we transfer these posts, they won’t necessarily be added in the order they were originally created, so there may be gaps at first. However, over time, these gaps will be filled in. For example, you might see a post from 2024 followed by one from 2018, but rest assured, every post will eventually appear with its correct date in chronological order as the migration continues. Update: All Moffat Tunnel related posts have been added to the blog; we are currently working on Rollins Pass related posts.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
- October 1925: Breaking Records, Not Yet the Divide
Seventy-one percent complete and months ahead of schedule, October 1925 tested how far determination could outrun terrain. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago Exactly one hundred years ago this month, the Moffat Tunnel continued moving from vision to inevitability. By October 1925, engineers projected completion “four to six months ahead of time stipulated in the contract,” placing the finish line ambitiously close: December 1926. Newspapers began treating the tunnel less as an experiment and more as destiny. “The record-breaking progress being made on the construction of the Moffat Tunnel and the certainty that it will be completed by… Read more: October 1925: Breaking Records, Not Yet the Divide - September 1925: Promises on Paper, Realities in Rock
Optimism, obituaries, settlers, and lawsuits marked September 1925, as the tunnel was cast as Colorado’s gateway to prosperity even while danger stalked the portals Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago In September of 1925, life at West Portal looked deceptively ordinary. The local papers carried advertisements for Harry Credille’s services as a notary public, directing readers to the Recreation Hall—a single building that was equal parts post office, barber shop, store, and social hub. On the surface, it was civic life at its most routine. But just outside its doors, the month’s events revealed how precarious, and how… Read more: September 1925: Promises on Paper, Realities in Rock - Halfway There, Hands in the Air: August 1925 at the Moffat Tunnel
Resignations, robberies, dances, and deadlines defined August 1925, as the Moffat Tunnel reached its halfway point and drew attention far beyond Colorado Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago In August 1925, the resignation of R. H. Keays as chief engineer of the Moffat Tunnel was accepted by the tunnel commission at its organization meeting. His $10,000 salary ($184,598.86 in 2025 adjusted for inflation) reflected the significance of the role, but the commission noted that “George Lewis, general manager of the company, will go on building the tunnel, so there will be no delay and few mistakes, if any.”… Read more: Halfway There, Hands in the Air: August 1925 at the Moffat Tunnel - Barbecue and Ballots at the Bore: July 1925
Celebration, controversy, and engineering milestones converged at the Moffat Tunnel in July 1925—when the public showed up above and below ground. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago In July 1925, the Moffat Tunnel stood at the intersection of spectacle and progress, celebration and scrutiny. As workers carved ever deeper into the granite beneath James Peak, Colorado’s largest public works project to date became a gathering point for thousands—and a political flashpoint in the battle over who would control its future. On July 4, East Portal transformed into a massive amphitheater of civic pride, athletic competition, and open-air revelry.… Read more: Barbecue and Ballots at the Bore: July 1925 - June 1925: Drilling for Progress, Campaigning for Control
As drills pushed through the Divide in June 1925, Colorado faced a quieter but deeper fracture: a power struggle over who would control the tunnel, its payroll, and the path forward for the state’s future. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago June 1925 was no ordinary month for the Moffat Tunnel. Beneath the Continental Divide, steel drills pushed deeper into the mountain, even as tragedy, political turmoil, and engineering breakthroughs collided to define one of the most consequential chapters in the tunnel’s history. In terms of progress, West Portal crews struck hard rock at the 7,735-foot mark—initially signaling… Read more: June 1925: Drilling for Progress, Campaigning for Control - May 1925: The Tunnel Keeps Time—and So Does the Band
Progress surged, benchmarks broke, and West Portal found its voice in music, machines, and memory in May 1925 at the Moffat Tunnel. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago As spring gave way to early summer in 1925, the Moffat Tunnel project surged forward with unprecedented energy—and with it, a mounting sense of inevitability that this long-promised engineering marvel would soon become reality. News outlets across Colorado praised the Lewis traveling cantilever girder (see last month’s post), and Charles Wheeler of the Moffat Tunnel Commission confidently stated, “there is no question about the tunnel being completed and trains running… Read more: May 1925: The Tunnel Keeps Time—and So Does the Band - Midway Beneath the Mountain: April 1925 at the Moffat Tunnel
In April 1925, as collapsing ground tested progress, the Moffat Tunnel neared midpoint—driven by George Lewis’ invention below James Peak. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago In early 1925, with the dream of traversing under James Peak only half fulfilled, George Lewis—assistant to the president of the Moffat Tunnel Commission—was appointed general manager of the project. A seasoned mine manager with long experience in Colorado’s Cripple Creek district, Lewis brought an inventive mind and steady leadership to a project facing mounting uncertainty. Tunnel workers had long struggled against unpredictable rock stresses—pressures too complex for the mathematical knowledge of… Read more: Midway Beneath the Mountain: April 1925 at the Moffat Tunnel - Death Beneath the Divide and Hollywood on the Hill: The Moffat Tunnel’s Pivotal March of 1925
Fatalities, financing, and film crews converged at Colorado’s most ambitious engineering project in March 1925. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago As winter loosened its grip in early 1925, March arrived with a torrent of headlines from the Moffat Tunnel—some grim, some extraordinary, and all underscoring the human cost and cultural reach of Colorado’s most ambitious infrastructure project. The month opened under a shadow. On February 27, tragedy struck at the West Portal when falling rock “struck and instantly killed Weaver W. Wilson,” a 21-year-old shift boss. According to contemporary accounts, Wilson and a crew had been widening… Read more: Death Beneath the Divide and Hollywood on the Hill: The Moffat Tunnel’s Pivotal March of 1925 - The Air Was Filled With Love, the Tunnel With Water: When Crater Lake Met the Moffat Tunnel in February 1925
Engineers designed the Moffat Tunnel for natural drainage, but a sudden East Portal flood from Crater Lake in 1925 still slowed progress to just 352 feet that February. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago On Valentine’s weekend, Sunday, February 15, 1925—exactly 100 years ago today—progress on the water tunnel took a dramatic and unexpected turn on the East Portal side of the Continental Divide. When excavation reached 8,050 feet, a sudden breach in the rock unleashed a torrent of water—1,800 gallons per minute—gushing from a hidden seam. The heading (excavation point) was located 1,100 feet beneath Crater Lake,… Read more: The Air Was Filled With Love, the Tunnel With Water: When Crater Lake Met the Moffat Tunnel in February 1925 - Cave-Ins, Costs, and Catastrophe: Struggles at the Moffat Tunnel in January 1925
Explore the dramatic events of January 1925 at the Moffat Tunnel, where cave-ins, soaring costs, and a tragic fatality tested engineering limits. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago January 1925 brought no shortage of challenges for the Moffat Tunnel construction, particularly at the West Portal, where the soft ground proved to be the most persistent obstacle. The first major incident of the year occurred on January 16th, when a cave-in near cross-cut number 3 caused significant disruption. Engineer Clifford A. Betts described the event, stating: “The cave-in was due to the soft geological formation, with which the drillers… Read more: Cave-Ins, Costs, and Catastrophe: Struggles at the Moffat Tunnel in January 1925 - Moffat Tunnel Happenings of December 1924: Dynamite, Pickles, and Progress Under James Peak
Discover December 1924 at the Moffat Tunnel: progress milestones, holiday cheer, workers’ cravings for pickles, and the daring dynamite expert Pete. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago Progress on the Moffat Tunnel surged ahead as the year came to a close. Solid rock was finally struck at the West Portal, marking a major milestone in the project. A newspaper article celebrated this breakthrough: “For over two weeks no timbering has been necessary, and hope is expressed that the tunnel is now in the solid granite under James Peak.” Despite the progress, caution remained: “Drilling must continue for another… Read more: Moffat Tunnel Happenings of December 1924: Dynamite, Pickles, and Progress Under James Peak - Colorado’s Great Portal to Greater Prosperity: Moffat Tunnel Happenings of November 1924
In November 1924, the Moffat Tunnel surged past one-third completion, inspiring community pride and reflecting Colorado’s boundless potential. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago The construction of the Moffat Tunnel—a monumental engineering project piercing the backbone of the continent—continued to progress rapidly in November 1924. The East and West Portals were celebrated as “forming open doors to the opportunity beyond the dreams of this generation,” according to the Rocky Mountain News on November 8, 1924. Remarkable milestones, described as ‘splendid progress,’ were achieved this month. By November 15th, workers had reached the one-mile mark on the pioneer bore… Read more: Colorado’s Great Portal to Greater Prosperity: Moffat Tunnel Happenings of November 1924 - October 1924 in the Moffat Tunnel: Hard-Won Progress Amid Tough Conditions
Amid October 1924 storms and setbacks, the Moffat Tunnel project reached 25% completion, showcasing Colorado’s enduring pioneering spirit. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago In October 1924, the Moffat Tunnel project encountered an early winter. A severe rainstorm-turned-snowstorm interrupted communications over Rollins Pass and suspended the power supply at the West Portal. East Portal recorded two feet of snow. As the snow continued to fall, so did the tasks piling up on the agenda for the Moffat Tunnel Commission, which required a quicker pace. According to the Steamboat Pilot on October 8, 1924, “The work of the commission… Read more: October 1924 in the Moffat Tunnel: Hard-Won Progress Amid Tough Conditions - Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Feet by September 20, 1924
In September 1924, Moffat Tunnel workers pushed to complete one mile of the tunnel by the contract’s anniversary, overcoming major challenges. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago “Five thousand, two hundred and eighty feet by September 20.” This slogan echoed among the Moffat Tunnel workers at East Portal for much of September 1924, as they pushed to extend the pioneer bore a full mile into James Peak. The distance and timing held special significance, as they aimed to achieve this milestone by the first anniversary of the contract’s signing. So, they toiled, drilled, blasted, and mucked—on average about… Read more: Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Feet by September 20, 1924 - August 1924: Forest Fires, Schoolhouses, and Record Progress at the Moffat Tunnel
In August 1924, forest fires near the Moffat Tunnel led to closures, while new schoolhouses were built for workers’ children and tunnel progress continued. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago As was case for much of the summer of 1924, forest fires continued to be a topic widely discussed in newspaper articles and in other sources. The Boulder Daily Camera on August 19, 1924, mentioned that a forest fire had broken out in the neighborhood of Rollinsville and that men were recruited from the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel to assist in fighting the fire. In fact,… Read more: August 1924: Forest Fires, Schoolhouses, and Record Progress at the Moffat Tunnel - July 1924: Steady Tunnel Progress Amid Wildfires and Acts of Heroism
July 1924 saw steady Moffat Tunnel progress, wildfire threats near West Portal, and a brave 18-year-old who rushed to bring help. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago July 1924 saw methodical and steady progress on the Moffat Tunnel in Colorado. Multiple articles stated that the work would be completed “on or before August 1, 1926” with costs “within the estimate.” As of July 1924, $2,598,054 had been spent to date; however only $592,945 had been for the actual construction. The remainder was for railroad sidings and camp buildings. July’s report emphasizes that rock excavation in the water tunnel,… Read more: July 1924: Steady Tunnel Progress Amid Wildfires and Acts of Heroism - June 1924: Wildfires Threaten the Moffat Tunnel as Steady Progress Continues
Wildfires threatened the West Portal of the Moffat Tunnel in June 1924, endangering workers and supplies, yet construction made steady progress. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago June 1924 found steady progress at the Moffat Tunnel. However, in mid-June, a “huge” forest fire raged in the vicinity of the West Portal of the Moffat Tunnel. The smoke was visible from Nederland and Boulder, and the flames were visible from the town of Corona atop Rollins Pass. The fire scorched 2,500 acres southeast of the Idlewild station and south of the West Portal of the Moffat Tunnel. The fire… Read more: June 1924: Wildfires Threaten the Moffat Tunnel as Steady Progress Continues - May 1924: Tunnel Progress, Worker Bonuses, and Tragedies at the Moffat Tunnel
May 1924 saw steady progress at the Moffat Tunnel, the introduction of worker bonuses, and tragic accidents at the Continental Divide and East Portal. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago May 1924 found work at the Moffat Tunnel progressing quite nicely. Hitchcock and Tinkler announced payment of a bonus effective May 1st (comprehensive details on the bonus at the end of this post.) The hope was that the bonus would speed up tunnel work, as there were still serious discussions being had that the date ‘1926’ would and could still be placed on the concrete entrances on both… Read more: May 1924: Tunnel Progress, Worker Bonuses, and Tragedies at the Moffat Tunnel - April 1924: Record Progress, Tunnel Challenges, and Preparing for Summer Tourists at the Moffat Tunnel
In April 1924, the Moffat Tunnel set new progress records, overcame construction challenges, and prepared for an influx of summer visitors. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago April 1924 saw new records made in boring the Moffat Tunnel. Prior records were 20 feet of progress in a single day at East Portal, however, 23 feet became the new record. However, that progress was not without incident. In the April 21, 1924, Boulder Daily Camera newspaper, the mention read, “Alva Q. Healey, an old-time miner of the Sunshine district, Boulder county, is in St. Luke’s hospital, Denver, receiving treatment… Read more: April 1924: Record Progress, Tunnel Challenges, and Preparing for Summer Tourists at the Moffat Tunnel - March 1924: Record Tunnel Progress, Prohibition’s Impact, and a Near Disaster at the Moffat Tunnel
March 1924 saw record-breaking progress at the Moffat Tunnel, prohibition-related incidents, and a near disaster caused by a dynamite blast. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago March 1924 finds new records being set at the Moffat Tunnel. A new record was set “when the water tunnel at West [P]ortal was driven 24 feet in 24 hours. The distance made at East Portal during the same time was 14 feet, total 38 feet for Monday. The new machinery is beginning to tell and very soon both portals will be showing increased results. The goal that is being striven for… Read more: March 1924: Record Tunnel Progress, Prohibition’s Impact, and a Near Disaster at the Moffat Tunnel - Feeding the Workforce and Powering Progress: February 1924 at the Moffat Tunnel
In February 1924, the Moffat Tunnel project advanced with hearty meals, new electric locomotives, and significant progress at both portals. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago The saying of ‘an army marches on its stomach’ has been attributed to both Napoleon Bonaparte as well as Frederick the Great. The saying is also apt for the conditions on both sides of the Moffat Tunnel. Of the West Portal mess hall, the following description was penned by Viola J. Meair, the local manager of The Oak Creek Times newspaper: “The mess hall is a large, clean, well lighted building where… Read more: Feeding the Workforce and Powering Progress: February 1924 at the Moffat Tunnel - Jonas Wilson Pumphrey: A Moffat Tunnel Worker’s Passing on February 25, 1924
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Jonas Wilson Pumphrey’s death during Moffat Tunnel construction, honoring his legacy and sacrifice in 1924. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago One of the first tunnel workers died one hundred years ago today, on Monday, February 25, 1924. Jonas Wilson Pumphrey of Nederland died at 3:30pm at East Portal “after a five days illness of pneumonia.” Pumphrey was 58 years old and was “a driver of one of the electric motors being operated in the tunnel.” Pumphrey’s family moved from Erie to Nederland in 1922. Jonas left behind his wife, Rose, daughter Louise… Read more: Jonas Wilson Pumphrey: A Moffat Tunnel Worker’s Passing on February 25, 1924 - January 1924: Steady Progress, Financial Milestones, and Winter Challenges at the Moffat Tunnel
January 1924 saw continued Moffat Tunnel progress, winter challenges, and optimism as new equipment was expected to speed up construction efforts. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago January 1924’s progress on the Moffat Tunnel followed a similar trajectory as December 1923. Progress at the West Portal was slow: about 12 feet per day was the average and the first crosscut had been started (but not yet timbered). More progress was made at the East Portal where the first crosscut between the pioneer bore to the railroad bore had been completed. Taking a look at financials, expenses at this… Read more: January 1924: Steady Progress, Financial Milestones, and Winter Challenges at the Moffat Tunnel - Christmas at the Moffat Tunnel: Progress, Celebrations, and Colorado Pride in December 1923
December 1923 saw steady progress on the Moffat Tunnel, festive celebrations, and debates over Colorado-made goods versus Missouri dynamite. Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago December 1923 found the progress in the pioneer bore of the Moffat Tunnel to be steady. In fact, the headway made in absence of the machinery ordered last month was quite good and many, many news articles were eagerly anticipating the potential for a joint celebration of Colorado’s Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) and the completion of the Moffat Tunnel to align on August 1, 1926. Students of Colorado’s history know this was not… Read more: Christmas at the Moffat Tunnel: Progress, Celebrations, and Colorado Pride in December 1923
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