UPDATE: Will Corbett shared this 1959 ‘Jeep’ Cavalcade “Rush to the Rockies” Centennial event brochure with Gone-Gpn on Facebook. It is a tri-fold brochure that opens up with a full-page on the back. I’ve pieced together the back page from two separate pages, so it isn’t quite a perfect example.
This is the front of the brochure:
This is the back of the brochure:
This image shows the back of the brochure when fully opened:
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Originally Posted October 18, 2018:
This information covers the 1959 Jeep Cavalcade “Rush to the Rockies” Centennial. The 1959 Cavalcade was part of the 100th anniversary of the John Gregory’s Central City May 1859 strike, which led to a wave of hopeful miners descending upon what would become the Denver area. The Centennial was celebrate throughout Colorado through a variety of celebrations and merchandise (like these bottles and this Centential booklet).
A subsequent ‘Jeep’ Cavalcade was organized for 1960, as shown in this brochure.
Photo from the Denver Post. Both Life Magazine and the Denver Post covered the event. Note the white wagon above. It appears in a couple of the color photos below.
Some folks attached these flags to their rigs.
Here are photos of the 1959 Jeep Calvacade that appeared in the December 28, 1959, issue of Life Magazine (the one below).
These photos appeared on eBay and seem to be from 1959 also:
These slides appear to be from the 1959 Centennial Cavalcade tour, based on the date listed on the eBay description.
View all the information on ebay
“For sale is a Lot of Nine (9) Vintage Color Photo Slides of 1959 Outdoors Jeep Train Tour Vacation.
Pre-owned condition. I didn’t do any color corrections or touch ups in the preview pictures. May show some slight wear from age. No serious damage.
Please see photos for more details. Photos are part of the description. I make all effort to list any defects or damage in my listings.”
The other photos do not have jeeps in them
In the last picture the leading Jeep with the Colorado YX-56 license plate has a triangular sign on the front grill that I think says “(?) 50 Mile Club”. Can anbody make out the first word, along with what is on the sign just below that windshield?
Correction, it might be “(?) 50 Jeep Club”.
I too tried to figure out what the sign said, but couldn’t make it out.
I also just noticed that on the back of the gray jeep, which I assume is the lead jeep, is some kind of extension in the rear (more visible in the second to the last photo).
In the 1958-59 timeframe they started a annual Jeep Calvalcade held in Ouray that was a pretty big deal. I have some literature and banners from the original event that I can post. We’re going to have a Tour Jeep Calvalcade of our own this 4th of July week in Ouray. Even $5 a gallon fuel won’t keep me away!!!!
Craig
That sounds fun!
The black Jeep with the tan seats (on the left side of the first photo) appears to have been stretched at the door openings. Look at the full size original picture for an easier view. My eyes are vintage and need help.
Good Catch. I hadn’t noticed that mod.
I wasn’t sure I was seeing what I saw or that it was caused by all that epoxy dust I’d been snorting. Great pictures either way, looks like some serious fun!
Did a little searching and that was the Jeep Cavalcade that I was talking about. The Life Magazine article was from December 1959. I’ll dig up the stuff I have this weekend and get you a copy. Sorry no FC’s in the cavalcade.
That’s great Craig! I’d love to get that.
BEEN THERE — DONE IT — MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY — BLACK BEAR ROAD — SILVERTON — MOLAS PASS — WAS IN SILVERTON WHEN JOHN DENVERS BIG HIT CAME OUT — ” ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH ” — 1972 ?? — EATING A TROUT OMELET — IN A LITTLE DINER — JUKE BOX — BEEN THERE — WE DRIVE YOU LOOK JEEP TOURS OURAY — MODIFIED FC -170S — SEEN EM — DURANGO — LAS ANIMAS RIVER — TRAIN — CHOO CHOO !!! — RAINS EVERY AFTERNOON IN THE SAN JUANS — NEEDLE PEAK — LOVE IT THERE — MAYBE I’LL MOVE BACK THERE ?? — NEED A SUPERCHARGER ON A JEEP !!!
Check this plate out, I can’t believe it went as high as it did. No, unfortunately I did not win it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/San-Juan-Rockies-Colorado-Jeep-Cavalcade-4-X-4-Party-License-Plate-Topper-Tag/223134365102
Holy Smokes! $202?
I know. Embarrassed to say that I was the runner up bid at $200 using an auto bidding software.
Now that I understand the history of the plaque better, I can see it has more value, especially for Coloradans.
Being a San Juan freak I have a few mementos from the event given to me be Gail Kuboski, one of the former owners of San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours. I have the flag and a license plate along with brochures. Very cool bits of Western Slope history!