Re: Idaho Springs Tank

Posted by Chris Walker on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Idaho-Springs-Tank-tp1316p1418.html

 

Chris Walker wrote

In his Up Clear Creek article on the 2nd W.T. at Idaho, NG&SL Gazette Nov/Dec 84, Harry Brunk muses.... "There were at least two water tanks in Idaho Springs over the years.  In the early days of the Colorado Central, there was a tank just west of the area where the Argo Tunnel was built.  This tank was gone in later years but it was near enough to the Argo that I suspect that it may have been removed because it was in the way of the tunnel construction."

John Schapekahm wrote

So Chris, you’re saying that, after twenty years there, water problems on the east side of Idaho Springs convinced the C&S to relocate water facilities clear across town to the west side of Idaho Springs, irrespective of the Newhouse (Argo) Tunnel and Mill operation and dump right then and there looming over the original C&S tank? Sorry, but I remain unpersuaded. I continue to cast my lot with Harry Brunk, who, as I said, seems to have had a [1] similar [2] “suspicion” about [3] Argo being the culprit (thanks for furnishing his exact quote) …

Hang on a minute!  How did you get that out of that?    I'm certainly not here to tear down Harry Brunk.  I merely postulated a possible reason.   Mining up Virginia Canyon increased and maybe took the water supply?  Seems logical to draw that conclusion after reviewing the following growth of the Newhouse/Argo.   And I'm not saying I'm RIGHT either, just posting the info as I find it.
   
The photos above (if you look deep into the links) closely show the same buildings and verified from todays views available on GoogleStreetview.  I for one cannot find a photo that shows the  Newhouse Tunnel Dump ever encroached on 23rd Ave.   Just use streetview to see how far from the Argo Mill, 2017 Virginia St is.   The 2-storey house w/attic dormer, uphillside of that address  is visible in MCC-614  http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/90657/rv/singleitem/rec/7  which is opposite the 1st W.T.
 
The Dump was extended East shown here in this view
   
X-61683  http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/38917/rec/79

Take this earlier one so you can study the relationship of the dump size in various photos.  

 Z-2797   http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/67651/rv/singleitem/rec/71
In this view note the switchstand right of the houses, it still appears in the same place as in the McClure MCC-614, I doubt that siding grew any longer.  Also there now are three Stacks at the Powerhouse, down to two Stacks in the MCC-614 and that the Powerhouse dissappeared in the X-61683.


In this next view that shows the location of the 2nd W.T., greatly enlarged to show the relationship of the Newhouse tunnel Dump before the Argo Mill was built.  This picture has a C&S "Colorado Road" lettering car in it, setting the date after 1899, (Derrell will correct me ...)

http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/3381/rv/singleitem/rec/2

Reading between the lines, Harry has often intimated find clues, new information, new photo's and correcting things was all part and parcel of his Gazette series "Up Clear Creek on The Narrow Gauge"  e.g. read his words in part 120 Jul/Aug 2000.
A footnote in regards to the Powerhouse, Harry's caption Part 17:Argo Tunnel-The Mill, photo #4 pg 58,  Nov/Dec '82 pg58 "As the sign tips off: this was when everything was brand new. The purpose of the tall-stacked building lower left is unknown; it was gone in later years."   From that I take it Harry was really unaware of the importance of the powerhouse and it's tall stacks as it does not appear in any of his sketches, maps or photo's presented.