The Royal Gorge War: The Battle for Colorado’s Most Iconic Canyon
Photo Courtesy of Royalgorgeroute.com
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Nestled in the heart of Colorado, the Royal Gorge is a breathtaking natural wonder-with its towering cliffs and the Arkansas River flowing below create a dramatic landscape.
The Royal Gorge wasn’t always a peaceful spot for tourists to take in a stunning view. In fact, it was the site of one of the most heated battles in Colorado’s history, a conflict that involved rival railroads, armed conflict and a struggle for control over one of the most coveted transportation routes in the west. This was The Royal Gorge War.
The Prelude: A Race to the Royal Gorge
In the late 1800s, as the mining boom swept across Colorado, both the Denver & Rio Grande Railway (D&RG) and the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) were fiercely competing to lay tracks through the region.
Being the only viable route through the mountains, it offered an easier passage for trains traveling westward. Both companies realized the Royal Gorge’s strategic importance.
While the Royal Gorge was a prized location, the steep narrow walls, provided a dramatic scenery, but also making it a natural obstacle and posing a significant engineering challenge.
Whoever controlled it would dominate the railway routes to mining towns of Colorado and would command the transport of passengers, goods, and coal.
The Battle Begins:
The tension between the two railroad giants exploded in 1878. The D&RG, led by William Jackson Palmer, had already begun laying tracks through the Royal Gorge, but found themselves facing fierce opposition from the AT&SF. What followed was a series of strategic moves, legal battles, and even outright sabotage.
With D&RG already laying tracks, the AT&SF decided to retaliate by hiring gunmen to take control of key areas. The conflict escalated quickly, with armed skirmishes between the two companies’ hired men.
Tensions ran high as both companies were willing to do anything to gain the upper hand in the battle for the coveted canyon.
The Turning Point: The U.S. Supreme Court Gets Involved
The Royal Gorge War wasn’t just a physical battle, but a legal one too. In 1880, years after the conflict began, the U.S Supreme Court stepped in, ruling in favor of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. The court ruled that the D&RG had the right to lay tracks through the Royal Gorge, because they had laid claims to the area long before Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway decided to step in. This ruling solidified the control of the area to D&RG, and brought and official end to the conflict, but not before significant financial and reputational damage had been done to both companies.
D&RG agreed to pay 1.8 million to AT&SF as part of the settlement for damages and legal fees.
After the decision, the D&RG quickly completed its railroad tracks through the gorge, ultimately allowing it to operate a profitable passenger and freight service. The conflict and the legal battle left a lasting mark on the area’s history, and the Royal Gorge itself became a symbol of the West’s cutthroat nature.
Photo Courtesy of RaftEcho.com
Aftermath and Legacy
The Royal Gorge became known for its stunning views and engineering marvels, including the construction of the Hanging Bridge-a steel bridge suspended over the Arkansas River on the steep canyon walls.
Today, the route is enjoyed by locals and tourists as they ride the Royal Gorge Route Railway where they enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
The Royal Gorge War remains one of the most intense and dramatic rivalries in the American railroad history.
Photo Courtesy Royalgorgeroute.com
