Old Maps of Thornton, Colorado for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 41 historic maps of Thornton. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.

  • Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
  • Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
  • Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.

Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of Thornton.


Thornton, CO maps

(41)
  1. 1890 Map of East Denver
    1890 Map of East Denver
    1890 East Denver
    1890 Print · USGS
    Denver and the surrounding plains are captured in the late frontier era as a complex web of irrigation canals and iron rails. Researchers can trace early water systems like the High Line Ditch or locate early settlements such as Parker's and Scranton.

  2. 1899 Map of West Denver
    1899 Map of West Denver
    1899 West Denver
    1899 Print · USGS
    The Denver metropolitan area and its western foothills appear in the late Victorian era as a burgeoning rail and irrigation hub. Researchers can trace the early footprints of Denver, Golden, and Littleton, alongside industrial sites like the Louisville Coal Mine and the grounds of Fort Logan.

  3. 1902 Map of Greeley
    1902 Map of Greeley
    1902 Greeley
    1902 Print · USGS
    The northern Colorado plains come alive in this survey of the South Platte and Cache la Poudre river valleys. Researchers can trace early railroad expansion and irrigation networks while locating specific homesteads like Klugs Ranch and old coal operations such as the Black Prince Coal Mine.
    4 unique versions available

  4. 1938 Map of Derby, 1955 Print
    1938 Map of Derby, 1955 Print
    1938 Derby
    1955 Print · USGS
    The industrial and aviation landscape north of Denver is captured here during the late Depression era, showing a transition from dense urban rail hubs to irrigated farmland. Researchers can trace the legacy of the Stockyards, the Riverside Cemetery, and early runways at the Municipal Airport.

  5. 1940 Map of Eastlake
    1940 Map of Eastlake
    1940 Eastlake
    1940 Print · USGS
    Adams County at the end of the 1930s shows a landscape of rail-side settlements and intensive irrigation. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Wesley Chapel, rural school sites such as Moreland Sch, and the water networks of the Brantner Ditch.

  6. 1940 Map of Lafayette
    1940 Map of Lafayette
    1940 Lafayette
    1940 Print · USGS
    Lafayette and the northern Colorado coalfields are captured in the late 1930s as mining and rail transport shaped the local economy. Genealogists can trace family roots through named landmarks like Mandalay Sch, Lakeview Cem, and the Centennial Mine.

  7. 1940 Map of Derby
    1940 Map of Derby
    1940 Derby
    1940 Print · USGS
    Adams County and north Denver appear here on the eve of World War II, showing a landscape of irrigation ditches, heavy rail, and early aviation. Researchers can trace the legacy of the Stockyards, the sprawling Denver City and Co Airport, and vanished local schools like Mapleton Sch.
    2 unique versions available

  8. 1941 Map of Arvada
    1941 Map of Arvada
    1941 Arvada
    1941 Print · USGS
    The Arvada and Westminster areas of the Colorado Front Range appear here in the early 1940s, showing a landscape defined by irrigation and rail. Researchers can trace historic institutions like Bellevue College, early settlements at Utah Junction, and the Leyden Narrow Gage railroad.

  9. 1944 Map of Arvada
    1944 Map of Arvada
    1944 Arvada
    1944 Print · USGS
    The northwest Denver suburbs appear as a series of distinct rail-connected towns in the 1940s. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Arvada Cem, Semper Sch, and the grounds of Regis College.

  10. 1944 Map of Lafayette
    1944 Map of Lafayette
    1944 Lafayette
    1944 Print · USGS
    The northern Front Range in the years following the Great Depression was a landscape of coal mines and intricate irrigation reservoirs. You can trace the early footprints of Lafayette and Broomfield while locating industrial landmarks like the Centennial Mine and Burn Lee Sch.

  11. 1944 Map of Eastlake
    1944 Map of Eastlake
    1944 Eastlake
    1944 Print · USGS
    The South Platte River valley and the agricultural plains of Adams County appear here in the years before the Denver suburbs arrived. Genealogists and historians can trace rural family life through locations like Wesley Chapel, the local Cemetery, and early school sites like Brantner Sch.

  12. 1947 Map of Derby
    1947 Map of Derby
    1947 Derby
    1947 Print · USGS
    Denver's northern periphery at the end of the 1930s reveals a landscape defined by industry and irrigation. Trace family roots at Riverside Cemetery or locate early landmarks like the Stockyards, Argo, and the Fish Hatchery.
    2 unique versions available

  13. 1950 Map of Frederick
    1950 Map of Frederick
    1950 Frederick
    1950 Print · USGS
    The coal-rich corridor of Weld County is caught in a moment of industrial transition during the early 1950s. Genealogists and historians can trace the mining family hubs of Frederick, Firestone, and Dacono, alongside local schools like Mount View School and the Shamrock Mine.
    7 unique versions available

  14. 1950 Map of Derby
    1950 Map of Derby
    1950 Derby
    1950 Print · USGS
    The northern reaches of Denver and Adams County are captured here at mid-century as industry and rail lines shaped the river valley. Researchers can trace the early footprints of Adams City, the Stockyards, and family history at Riverside Cemetery or Rose Hill Cem.

  15. 1950 Map of Arvada
    1950 Map of Arvada
    1950 Arvada
    1950 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Jefferson County comes to life as Denver’s western edge begins its suburban transformation from a landscape of irrigation ditches and small farms. Researchers can trace the original footprints of Arvada, Wheatridge, and local landmarks like the Crown Hill Cemetery and Regis College.

  16. 1953 Map of Denver, 1964 Print
    1953 Map of Denver, 1964 Print
    1953 Denver
    1964 Print · USGS
    Denver and the Colorado Front Range are captured here during a decade of post-war growth and military expansion. Researchers can trace the sprawling rail lines of the Union Pacific, locate the State Capitol, and explore historic mountain mining hubs like Central City.
    6 unique versions available

  17. 1954 Map of Greeley, 1966 Print
    1954 Map of Greeley, 1966 Print
    1954 Greeley
    1966 Print · USGS
    Northern Colorado transitions from high-alpine peaks to the irrigated South Platte valley during this mid-century period of growth. Genealogists and historians can trace rail-connected hubs like Greeley and Longmont alongside landmarks like Horsetooth Reservoir and Estes Park.
    3 unique versions available

  18. 1956 Map of Lafayette, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Lafayette, 1958 Print
    1956 Lafayette
    1958 Print · USGS
    Boulder County experiences a post-war transition in the mid-fifties as the new turnpike and traditional mining industries coexist. Researchers can trace early suburban expansion in Broomfield Heights while locating the Centennial Mine and local landmarks like Ruston Heights Airport.

  19. 1957 Map of Denver
    1957 Map of Denver
    1957 Denver
    1957 Print · USGS
    Denver and the Colorado Front Range are seen here during a mid-century period of intense military and urban expansion. Trace the footprints of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, the early United States Air Force Academy, and the Lowry AF Base.

  20. 1957 Map of Greeley
    1957 Map of Greeley
    1957 Greeley
    1957 Print · USGS
    Northern Colorado in the mid-fifties is captured here as the agricultural plains of Weld County meet the high peaks of the Front Range. Genealogists and historians can trace rail-linked towns like Keenesburg and Roggen or locate early water features such as Boyd Lake and Fossil Creek Reservoir.

  21. 1957 Map of Derby, 1958 Print
    1957 Map of Derby, 1958 Print
    1957 Derby
    1958 Print · USGS
    Northeast of Denver during the late fifties, this area was a bustling hub of rail transport, aviation, and emerging suburbs. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of Thornton or locate family plots in Riverside Cemetery and Rose Hill Cem.
    3 unique versions available

  22. 1957 Map of Eastlake, 1958 Print
    1957 Map of Eastlake, 1958 Print
    1957 Eastlake
    1958 Print · USGS
    Adams County’s farming and irrigation heartland is frozen in time in the late fifties, just as the metropolitan area began its northward shift. Researchers can trace historic water rights and small-town roots through landmarks like Eastlake, the Wesley Cem, and the Union Pacific rail siding at Hazeltine.
    2 unique versions available

  23. 1957 Map of Arvada, 1958 Print
    1957 Map of Arvada, 1958 Print
    1957 Arvada
    1958 Print · USGS
    The northwest Denver suburbs are caught in a moment of post-war transformation, balancing old canal-fed agriculture with new residential growth. Local historians can trace established landmarks like Elitch Gardens, Regis College, and the sprawling Crown Hill Cemetery.
    3 unique versions available

  24. 1958 Map of Greeley
    1958 Map of Greeley
    1958 Greeley
    1958 Print · USGS
    Northern Colorado and the high peaks of the Front Range appear here in the mid-fifties as the region's agricultural and rail networks were fully established. Genealogists can locate family homes near Virginia Dale, Waverly, or Kuner, and trace the path of the Union Pacific Railroad through Greeley.

  25. 1958 Map of Denver
    1958 Map of Denver
    1958 Denver
    1958 Print · USGS
    Denver and the Colorado Front Range are captured here during the mid-century suburban boom. Trace the footprints of military installations like Buckley Air Force Base alongside the established rail networks of the Colorado & Southern Ry.

Showing maps 1-25 of 41

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