Kokomo grade

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Kokomo grade

Kurt Maechner
Hi, I had a question about the Kokomo area, but since I've never been there, Google Earth is my only view.  In a 1965 Mac Poor article, he says that a "State Highway through that area" was relocated near the old South Park grade.  When I look at Google Earth all I can make out is a dirt road near this spot close to the old Kokomo site.  Is this the "State Highway" he was referring to?  I guess I assumed it would have been a more substantial road.  Or is he referring to something else?  

Thanks for any insights,
Kurt
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Re: Kokomo grade

Chris Walker
Here you go...with the modern Highway 91 visible.

Leadville 1889 USGS


http://historicalmaps.arcgis.com/usgs/
UpSideDownC
in New Zealand
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Re: Kokomo grade

Todd Hackett
I developed this map for a Bogies an the Loop (DSP&PHS newsletter) article. It's based on overlaying the USGS map, ICC maps, and information from aerial photos. I don't recall any sign of a county road on the C&S grade.


This version shows more of the area, and is overlaid on an aerial photo to tie it in better to what's still there:
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Re: Kokomo grade

Robert McFarland
In reply to this post by Kurt Maechner
Back in 1965 there were quite a few highways that were dirt roads,particularly in western Nebraska ,South Dakota,and North Dakota.Even into the 1970s
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Re: Kokomo grade

Kurt Maechner
Those maps are very helpful.  I forgot to mention that Poor's 1965 comment was in reference to the old switchback.  He remarked that the relocation of a state highway basically obliterated what remained of the switchback grade.  That must be the dirt road that appears under the dotted red line.  It seems like the highway is built on the grade, but Poor seemed to think the switchback grade was destroyed in the building of the road.
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Re: Kokomo grade

Todd Hackett
kmaechner wrote
...I forgot to mention that Poor's 1965 comment was in reference to the old switchback...
That is definitely plausible. I based the switchback on the overlay on the early USGS map, which is a very small scale so not very precise, but there is a grade in about the right spot which I assumed to be the upper part of the switchback. The current access road follow it for a distance, and it is still visible heading toward the tailings pond dam above where the access road connects. The grade in this spot is relatively gentle, unlike the steep parts of the access road above it, so it does seem to be RR grade, and as it's above the later grade it was probably part of the switchback.