Royal Gorge

Colorado Paintings
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Royal Gorge

The mighty Arkansas River cut the Gorge millennia ago, leaving behind rich minerals, including silver which was a boom to the area in the 1870s. a power struggle ensued over competing railroads to reach the gorge first. The US Supreme Court ruled in Denver & Rio Grande's favor in 1879, but not without an armed war "Wild West" style over the rights and leases. It's an interesting part of our Colorado Heritage if you want to learn more. Construction of the bridge itself didn't start until 1929 and was built as a tourist attraction 955 feet above the river. The bridge remains the highest bridge in the United States and was among the ten highest bridges in the world until 2012.

Artwork inspired by a collage of my own and stock photos. Artwork by Julie Leidel, 2013.