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Crystal River Pictorial, The By Dell McCoy & Russ Collman #251 Signed
The Crystal River Pictorial By Dell McCoy & Russ Collman
Hard Cover #00251 Signed by both authors
Copyright 1972
224 pages Indexed
SECTION I -- Lay of the Land 8
SECTION II -- Aspen & Western 13
SECTION III -- Crystal River -- The Columbine Route 27
SECTION IV -- Crystal River & San Juan 109
SECTION V -- Colorado Yule Marble Electric Tramway 1.69
SECTION VI -- Treasury Mountain 202
The Crystal River Pictorial is the first detailed photographic record of the short-line railroads that once operated in the scenic Crystal River district of Colorado. Beyond this fact, however, The Crystal River Pictorial is much more than "just a railroad picture book." This vivid pictorial brings together, in one book, the largest and most representative selection of photographs ever printed - that portray the hauntingly beautiful, but remote, Crystal River region of the Rocky Mountains.
Here, for the first time, is the complete pictorial story of the fabulous Crystal River country - that legendary mountain district high in the Elk Mountain Range of central Colorado. Encompassing an area of less than forty miles in length, the Crystal River district has a unique history to Colorado and the American West. While the "booms and busts" of most Western regions were based on silver and gold, the pioneer economy of the Crystal River country was primarily dependent on rich deposits of coal and marble. This unusual combination of mineral deposits brought about the development of equally unusual industries to tap these treasure hoards.
Included in this rare scene was some of the most unusual railroading ever conducted in Colorado -- a state renowned for its mountain railroads. Embracing both narrow gauge and standard gauge lines, as well as both steam and electric operations, these railroads created a highly picturesque and vital pan of the history of the Crystal River Valley.
Until publication of The Crystal River Pictorial, there had never been a comprehensive photographic portrayal of the little railroads of this region -- and there had never been an adequate guide to show where these railroads operated. This volume fills these unknown gaps.
The Crystal River Pictorial not only takes you back into the boom period of the district, but it also shows you what the region looks like today -- in modern full-color photographs. Besides this graphic presentation, the book presents detailed maps of the railroads of the valley prepared through the use of aerial photographs provided by the U. S. Geological Survey.
During the early days of the Commercial era, promoters planned to run railroads to nearly every settlement in the district - and over nearly every mountain pass. Even such places as Crystal City and McClures Pass were not beyond the realm of possibility for the land sharks and expediters of paper empires. Eventually all the gradiose schemes boiled down to what became a somewhat weed-overgrown set of rails meandering up the Valley of the Crystal from Carbondale to Marble -- with three improbable branches wandering off into the High Country above the river.
This "golden era" lasted for only too brief a period. By 1942, all of the rails had been removed and the last two steam engines had been shoved onto a siding in Carbondale, awaiting their fate. Somehow, when the last locomotive chugged down the valley, it signaled the end of a grand age. Business attempts have continued since that time with uncertain amounts of success, however, the district will never be the same again.
In the beginning of the commercial era, men of high stature founded and directed the enterprises of the Crystal River district. Only when rich and corrupt outside interests began to worm their way into the activities of the valley did the "good times" begin to fade. Self-seeking union agitators and stock market manipulators did much to undermine the companies that employed most of the people in the district. Eventually this money-grubbing element caused the very economy of the Crystal River Valley to crumble into ruins.
Today's generation looks upward to the beautiful Elk Mountains, high above the Crystal River. Skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and "just plain relaxing" attract thousands to the region. Meanwhile the coal mines of the Coal-basin area once again are pouring forth valuable tonnages of "black diamonds." And perhaps in the not too distant future, the American building industry will once again utilize marble in the construction of the nation's houses of learning and governing, as well as for great cathedrals and monuments. It might even be that Americans someday will be able to find room.
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