All posts in Moffat Tunnel

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 meant to be.

1923 marked the first Christmas celebrated at West Portal and East Portal. The round-the-clock work came to a halt and many employees went home to celebrate Christmas, this is borne out with mentions in the newspapers printed mid-late December, “Frank Logsdon, who has been chief painter at the West [P]ortal of the Moffat [T]unnel for two months, and Frank Dooley, machine operator in the tunnel also at the West [P]ortal, came to Steamboat Monday night to spend the holidays at home.” Also, “Word has been received from M. W. Drennon, who is employed on the Moffat [T]unnel, at East Portal, that the town is progressing rapidly and conditions are prosperous. Mr. Brennon is expecting to spend the holidays in Boulder with his family.” Or this one, “After spending six weeks as a carpenter on buildings at the [W]est [P]ortal of the Moffat [T]unnel, G. W. Hetts of Craig returned home Saturday. He enjoyed his stay and the work, and states that working conditions up there are ideal.”

The others who remained at the Moffat Tunnel construction camps had a “huge Christmas dinner” and the “mess hall and buildings were decorated lavishly with evergreens.” While undoubtedly Santa didn’t overlook either construction camp, his appearance at the Moffat Tunnel wouldn’t be noted in newspapers until the following year in 1924.

At this time, there was a push to “Use Colorado Made Goods” from coffee to dynamite. However, the experts at the Moffat Tunnel Commission weighed in that “Missouri-made dynamite is better than any other” and this definitely irked those who worked for duPont in Colorado, “If it was not a criminal offense in this state to dynamite Fish this would be a splendid opportunity to demonstrate what the explosives manufactured by the duPont plant in Douglas County will do.” As the Record Journal of Douglas County pointed out, “…[Colorado] has evidently created the impression that all products from that state explode better and do greater damage than those from other localities” but that the Moffat Tunnel Commission will continue to use Missouri-made dynamite “regardless of the continued campaign of the Colorado Made Goods boosters.”

By the end of 1923, for the three months the tunnel was under construction, 638 feet had been bored in the Water Tunnel, averaging 213 feet per month. Next year, the hard work begins as heavy equipment and additional manpower arrive at both ends of the Moffat Tunnel.

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | December 31, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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Explore the November 1923 progress at the Moffat Tunnel, from mess halls and bonuses to timbering challenges and equipment orders.

Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago

The final few weeks of the year have always revolved around food, so it’s only fitting this installment begins with a mention of food and mess halls during the Moffat Tunnel’s construction.

In November 1923 at West Portal, the mess hall was run by E.B. Ballance, “an experienced man in his line, and if any one kicks on the grub you can set it down that he never had half as good at home.” Nearby, a fine root cellar was “filled with a car load of Routt county spuds.”

Other stories relate that prior to the start of a shift, workers would go to the cafeteria and fill their lunchboxes—some with sandwiches, but many others would take “fix or six pieces of pie and nothing else or perhaps as many pieces of cake.”

Included in this post is a look at the mess hall at West Portal, capable of holding 350 people. Meanwhile, five bunkhouses had been built and a sixth was nearing completion. Tool sharpening shops had been up and running. Earlier in the month, the Colorado Power company lines were successfully run to both portals.

November 1923 was also the month a substantial amount of equipment was ordered that would arrive at the start of 1924: twelve electric locomotives from General Electric and dump cars for transporting rock and dirt as well as two Osgood steam shovels. Blowers for the ventilating system were ordered (this is different from the ventilation system currently in place at East Portal), as well as air compressors and transformers. Two Marmon touring cars were also sold to the Moffat Tunnel Commission. In the meanwhile, horses and gasoline-powered compressors were used.

A new bonus structure was put in place to incentivize speed: engineers estimated the progress that could be made in an 8-hour shift and at the conclusion of the shift, if the workers exceeded the estimation, a bonus was divided among those on the shift.

Progress at the East Portal was good—solid rock aligned with both engineering and geology expectations. Danger lurked from within, however: November was the first time that “soft rock” was not only mentioned, but also impeded progress at the West Portal. The teams were about 500 feet into the pioneer bore when timbering was required to keep the tunnel from caving in on itself. This would prove more and more problematic. Had money been no object, diamond drills would have tested substrata. In 1922, all that could be afforded were a few test pits at West Portal. It was thought that hard rock was being located, but only after excavation was it determined that the test pits were finding huge boulders and not the solid rock core they were expecting. This lead to F.C. Hitchcock’s classic remark, “it seems the softest part of the Rocky Mountains is in the middle.” Progress at the West Portal was now constrained to how quickly timbering could be placed to hold the pressure along the roof and walls.

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | November 29, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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The historic cabins at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel, built a century ago, are being preserved through modern engineering efforts.

A century ago, the engineers who would build the Moffat Tunnel first had to tackle much smaller engineering tasks: construct two towns on either end of the tunnel. These were specialized towns, however, consisting of bunk houses, cottages, dining halls, drill sharpening shops, powder magazines, schools, hospitals, barns, and more. (Everything except the saloon, as the tunnel was created entirely during prohibition; and no gambling halls as the contractor refused to allow the lifestyle.) In the end, the towns had every amenity of home at both West Portal and East Portal, so that the hundreds of inhabitants at each town wanted for nothing. After all, this was to be their home for the next several years.

Construction started in the late summer and carried through to the winter in 1923-1924. In fact, it was in October 1923 that the men working at West Portal moved out of their tents and into bunk houses. The East Portal was slightly behind, so an additional fifty carpenters were sent mid-October to speed up and finalize the construction of structures.

Meanwhile, the two eight-hour shifts were expanded to three eight-hour shifts, with workers now laboring around the clock to build Moffat’s dream. In the final week of October, the Colorado Power company completed running power lines into both towns. Power generation was crucial for supporting round-the-clock work into darkening conditions: the workers had pushed more than two hundred feet into the mountain at West Portal as they created the pioneer bore (later to become the Moffat Water Tunnel). They were also experiencing less and less daylight as the days grew shorter with the approach of the winter solstice.

Early season snow storms deposited considerable snow in this area of Colorado: 12 inches at East Portal, 18 inches at West Portal, and over 5 feet atop the Continental Divide. In fact, consignment of snowshoes were sent to both portals. That wasn’t all that was requested, however. The Moffat Tunnel Commission appealed to the general public in late October for phonograph records to be played at both recreation halls. Records were delivered to the commission, and subsequently distributed to each portal and placed under the needle to fill both new towns with sweet sounds.

Fast-forwarding a century…

Yesterday at the East Portal, structural engineers were onsite re-examining the five remaining cabins, using tools unimaginable a century ago: handheld computers with unprecedented processing power, infrared sensors to see beyond the visible spectrum, moisture sensors, resistographs, and pocket cameras capable of still and motion photography. The homes of the Master Mechanic, Commissary Manager, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, and Paymaster still have life left and the saving of these endangered buildings is crucial to telling Colorado’s story.

Throughout the day, we grimaced as the unrelenting winds shrieked off James Peak, liberating gritty and grainy bits of ice and snow that swirled, tore, and whipped at the structures at East Portal. Thinking back to long ago, what relative respite it must have been to have sought a shift inside the mountain where the persistent, penetrating cold was preferable to the outdoors.

The historic structure assessment will be forthcoming later in November, as will more Moffat Tunnel stories.

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | October 31, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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The East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel are a Gilpin County historic local landmark to help preserve history for future generations.

Update: Historian and Vice Chair of the Gilpin County Historic Preservation Commission, B. Travis Wright, MPS, nominated the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel as a Gilpin County Historic Landmark. This landmark application was unanimously approved by the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on June 13, 2023. Read more here.

It is with great honor that I introduce Gilpin County’s newest local historic landmark: the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel!

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | June 13, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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100 years ago today, the Supreme Court ruled on Moffat Tunnel constitutionality, removing the final hurdle for construction to begin.

Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago

On this day, 100 years ago:

Justice Sanford delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States about the constitutionality of the Moffat Tunnel. Sanford penned, “Evidently the preservation of this railroad, a common carrier of persons and property… is a matter of great public importance, and a tunnel enabling it to provide quicker and cheaper transportation during all seasons of the year will greatly promote the public welfare.”

This removed the final hurdle, clearing the way for construction to begin later in the summer of 1923.

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | June 11, 2023

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The Gilpin County BoCC will decide on landmark status for the East Portal Camp Cabins this Tuesday at 9:30am.

Update: Historian and Vice Chair of the Gilpin County Historic Preservation Commission, B. Travis Wright, MPS, nominated the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel as a Gilpin County Historic Landmark. This landmark application was unanimously approved by the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on June 13, 2023. Read more here.

Last month, the Gilpin County Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel as Gilpin County’s next local historic landmark to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC).

There is a public hearing this Tuesday at/after 930am, where the Gilpin County BoCC will make a formal decision on landmark designation. If you are interested in joining, the meeting will be in person in Central City or the Zoom information is here: https://bit.ly/eastportalcabinslandmarkdesignation

This is the last best hope for these cabins; please help be their voice.

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | June 10, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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Public hearing tonight on the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel—help preserve these historic cabins.

Update: Historian and Vice Chair of the Gilpin County Historic Preservation Commission, B. Travis Wright, MPS, nominated the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel as a Gilpin County Historic Landmark. This landmark application was unanimously approved by the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on June 13, 2023. Read more here.

Tonight at 6pm!

Learn more at https://bit.ly/eastportalcampcabins

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | May 18, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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The East Portal Camp Cabins vote happens tomorrow at 6pm MT. Help secure landmark status for these historic cabins.

Update: Historian and Vice Chair of the Gilpin County Historic Preservation Commission, B. Travis Wright, MPS, nominated the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel as a Gilpin County Historic Landmark. This landmark application was unanimously approved by the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on June 13, 2023. Read more here.

The cabin in the foreground—flying the 48-star American flag—was home to the East Portal Paymaster Charles “Art” Rogers and his family. Rogers’ home is one of the five remaining cabins at East Portal—nominated as a local landmark in Gilpin County. Rogers (right) is pictured alongside Fred Doeting, the Paymaster of the West Portal.

The next installment of the story of the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel will be penned at 6pm MT tomorrow (Thursday). Attend in person in Central City or join online. More information about the public meeting provided at: https://bit.ly/eastportalcampcabins

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | May 17, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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East Portal Cabins Preservation is under review for landmark status near Moffat Tunnel, which could unlock grants for restoration.

Update: Historian and Vice Chair of the Gilpin County Historic Preservation Commission, B. Travis Wright, MPS, nominated the East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel as a Gilpin County Historic Landmark. This landmark application was unanimously approved by the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on June 13, 2023. Read more here.

It was 1927 when McMechen concluded his epic tome of the Moffat Tunnel by writing, “The regrettable feature of the story told… is that all Colorado citizens could not envision the ultimate purpose, nor realize its state importance.”

This year marks the centennial of the cottages at East Portal and on Thursday night (May 18th at 6pm), we can write the next chapter of their incredible story.

The East Portal Camp Cabins at the Moffat Tunnel are being considered by the Gilpin County Historic Preservation Commission to be listed on the county’s historic register as a local landmark.

Designation would open up grant opportunities for these 5 cabins tucked away at the edge of wilderness that were listed in 2020 as one of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places.

Your participation is key: join in person or virtually. Learn more at https://bit.ly/eastportalcampcabins

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | May 12, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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Experience the Moffat Tunnel’s legacy. Follow its incredible construction journey through time with exclusive stories, images, and more.

Moffat Tunnel Construction Happenings from 100 Years Ago

Exactly 95 years after its construction, the Moffat Tunnel remains a powerful testament to the human spirit and an incredible engineering achievement—but how did it begin?

Flanking the simple portals at each end of the tunnel are two tarnished and oxidized years, “1923” and “1927”—what sagas, challenges, successes, and chronicles are held between those bookended dates both inside and outside the tunnel? How has the intervening century changed our impressions about this astonishing American feat and how can we best mark and celebrate this epic triumph? Apart from the concrete edifices at either end, what vestiges of the past still exist and how can we best protect and preserve this history for subsequent generations?

Today marks the 95th anniversary of the tunnel’s opening. Our five-year story begins in earnest later this summer exclusively on this page and concludes February 26, 2028—the opening ceremony centennial of the Moffat Tunnel.

To begin, we need to play with the predictable plod of time—and imagine now that the date on each Facebook post is the date as it was 100 years ago. Picture that it is now February 26, 1923, and construction on the tunnel has not yet begun. We stand at a stony shoulder of James Peak, and we pause to share the same fragile wisps of an ethereal dream once visualized by David Moffat: that a tunnel would one day pierce the great hydrological barrier known as the Continental Divide in the Southern Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado.

Like or follow this page and experience the construction of the world-famous Moffat Tunnel, as told by published Rollins Pass and Moffat Tunnel historians Kate Wright and B. Travis Wright—a 2022 Colorado Preservation, Inc. State Honor Award recipient. We’ll share never-before-seen imagery, video, and items—along with stories and perhaps some special guests along the way as well.

B. Travis Wright, MPS | Preserve Rollins Pass | February 26, 2023

Want to uncover more incredible Moffat Tunnel stories? Our blog is filled with deeper dives into its history, untold tales, and connections to Rollins Pass. Explore more and journey through time with us!

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