Transportation
High bridge on the Ouray Stage Line
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This iconic ca. 1890s photo shows an elaborate log-cribbed bridge built over a deep gulch on the Ouray Stage Line between the mining towns of Ouray and Silverton in southwest Colorado. This was originally known as the "Otto Mears Toll Road" after the man who built the road - which for years was thought to be impossible.
High bridge on the Ouray Stage Line (colorized)
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This colorized version of the iconic ca. 1890s photo shows an elaborate log-cribbed bridge built over a deep gulch on the Ouray Stage Line between the mining towns of Ouray and Silverton in southwest Colorado. This was originally known as the "Otto Mears Toll Road" after the man who built the road - which for years was thought to be impossible.
Borax team with ore wagons and water tank ca. 1890
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
A Mojave Desert borax team stops for a photo opportunity somewhere in Southern California. Shown are the famous "20 Mule Team", two ore wagons, and a water wagon.
Trail in the San Juan Mountains
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This late 1800s photo of a mule navigating a precarious trail in Colorado's San Juan mountain range illustrates the difficult terrain that had to be overcome to open the mining districts of this region.
Traction engine hauling borax - Mojave Desert ca. 1900
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
Depicted is a traction engine (steam tractor) hauling borax in Southern California ca. 1900. Traction engines began replacing the iconic "Twenty Mule Teams" starting in the mid 1890s. The traction engines were often not as reliable as the mule teams in the punishing Death Valley climate, and they never completely replaced them.
Traction engine hauling borax - Mojave Desert ca. 1900 (colorized)
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This iconic western mining scene has been colorized by Western Mining History. Depicted is a traction engine (steam tractor) hauling borax in Southern California ca. 1900. Traction engines began replacing the iconic "Twenty Mule Teams" starting in the mid 1890s. The traction engines were often not as reliable as the mule teams in the punishing Death Valley climate, and they never completely replaced them.
High bridge on the Ouray Stage Line
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This iconic ca. 1890s photo shows an elaborate log-cribbed bridge built over a deep gulch on the Ouray Stage Line between the mining towns of Ouray and Silverton in southwest Colorado. This was originally known as the "Otto Mears Toll Road" after the man who built the road - which for years was thought to be impossible.
High bridge on the Ouray Stage Line (colorized)
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This colorized version of the iconic ca. 1890s photo shows an elaborate log-cribbed bridge built over a deep gulch on the Ouray Stage Line between the mining towns of Ouray and Silverton in southwest Colorado. This was originally known as the "Otto Mears Toll Road" after the man who built the road - which for years was thought to be impossible.
Borax team with ore wagons and water tank ca. 1890
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
A Mojave Desert borax team stops for a photo opportunity somewhere in Southern California. Shown are the famous "20 Mule Team", two ore wagons, and a water wagon.
Trail in the San Juan Mountains
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This late 1800s photo of a mule navigating a precarious trail in Colorado's San Juan mountain range illustrates the difficult terrain that had to be overcome to open the mining districts of this region.
Traction engine hauling borax - Mojave Desert ca. 1900
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
Depicted is a traction engine (steam tractor) hauling borax in Southern California ca. 1900. Traction engines began replacing the iconic "Twenty Mule Teams" starting in the mid 1890s. The traction engines were often not as reliable as the mule teams in the punishing Death Valley climate, and they never completely replaced them.
Traction engine hauling borax - Mojave Desert ca. 1900 (colorized)
PURCHASE DIGITAL FILE
This iconic western mining scene has been colorized by Western Mining History. Depicted is a traction engine (steam tractor) hauling borax in Southern California ca. 1900. Traction engines began replacing the iconic "Twenty Mule Teams" starting in the mid 1890s. The traction engines were often not as reliable as the mule teams in the punishing Death Valley climate, and they never completely replaced them.
