Nathrop Colorado Mystery

Hello All,

I have been working on tracing the route of the DSP&P in Google Earth and I have come across a mystery in the Nathrop, Colorado area. I have uncovered with what seems to be a long abandoned spur to a small mesa for what I assume would be a quarry for obtaining gravel ballast. It appears to have come off as two separate spurs and the north spur seemed to have been realigned at one point in time. I have doubts they were affiliated with the DSP&P but rather affiliated with the D&RG during the narrow gauge period and prior to the one of the many realignments of the mainline through the Arkansas Valley. I have belief that is somewhat supported by Mac Poors DSP&P book and its included map of the Nathrop area that these spurs existed during the 1880-1884 period before the narrow gauge was straightened and moved to the East bank of the Arkansas River.

I guess what I am trying to find out is, did this spur to the possible quarry actually exist. Who built it, what was it built for and when it was built and removed? Would anyone have any additional information surrounding this mystery?

I have attached an image of the particular area for one to get acquainted with what I am rambling on.



Thank you for any help and input on this.

Best Regards,

Ethan

We have witnessed valley
and plain and crest,
Canon and pass we've scanned;
We have seen the best
of the glorious West,
by the trail of the Rio Grande
-Author Unknown



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2020 05:17PM by Colorado76.