National and State Register

Alpine Tunnel Historic District

Chaffee County

The Alpine Tunnel Historic District includes approximately 13 miles of the former Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad railbed across the Continental Divide from Hancock to Quartz, as well as the Alpine Tunnel itself. 

Tunnel Complex viewed from the Continental Divide, 1986.

Tunnel Complex viewed from the Continental Divide, 1986.

Photo from the National Register nomination.

Constructed in 1880-1881, the district illustrates the engineering and operational challenges faced by the Colorado mountain railroads in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  The property is associated with the Railroads in Colorado, 1858-1948 Multiple Property Submission.

This site continues into Gunnison County.