Old Maps of La Plata County, Colorado

Explore 135 old maps of La Plata County, spanning from 1889 to today. These high-resolution historic maps reveal how streets, neighborhoods, landmarks, and natural features evolved over time — perfect for genealogy, metal detecting, research, and local history exploration.

What you can do with these maps:

  • See how La Plata County changed over time: Compare historical maps to modern-day views to trace roads, homesites, rail lines & more.
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  • Trusted historical sources: Maps sourced from the USGS, Library of Congress, and other archives.
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Start exploring old maps of La Plata County to uncover forgotten places, hidden landmarks, and the deep history beneath your feet.


La Plata County, CO maps

(135)
  1. 1889 Map of Chaco
    1889 Map of Chaco
    1889 Chaco
    1889 Print · USGS
    Northwestern New Mexico appears here in the late nineteenth century as a frontier of emerging river settlements and high-desert springs. Researchers can trace early footprints at Farmington and Aztec, or locate watering points like Sheep Spring and Seven Lakes.

  2. 1892 Map of Chaco
    1892 Map of Chaco
    1892 Chaco
    1892 Print · USGS
    Northwestern New Mexico in the late nineteenth century reveals the early river-side foundations of the Four Corners region. Genealogists and historians can trace the development of Farmington, Aztec, and Jewett along the San Juan River and the high desert outpost of Seven Lakes.
    5 unique versions available

  3. 1895 Map of La Plata, 1966 Print
    1895 Map of La Plata, 1966 Print
    1895 La Plata
    1966 Print · USGS
    The high peaks and mining basins of Southwest Colorado are captured here in the 1890s, when ore mills and mountain rail lines defined the economy. Trace the route of the Rio Grande Southern R. R. past the Columbus Mine and the remote settlement of Mayday.

  4. 1897 Map of La Plata
    1897 Map of La Plata
    1897 La Plata
    1897 Print · USGS
    The high peaks and mining camps of Southwest Colorado are captured here in the late nineteenth century. Genealogists and historians can trace early ranching at Menefee Ranch or locate rail stops along the Rio Grande Southern R. R. like Hesperus and Cima.

  5. 1897 Map of Rico
    1897 Map of Rico
    1897 Rico
    1897 Print · USGS
    The silver-mining hub of Rico is shown here in the late nineteenth century during its railroad-driven boom. Genealogists and researchers can locate family-named landmarks like Roger's Ranch and trace the winding route of the Rio Grande Southern R. R.

  6. 1898 Map of Durango
    1898 Map of Durango
    1898 Durango
    1898 Print · USGS
    Durango at the close of the nineteenth century was a bustling rail and mining hub defined by its river valleys and mountain mills. Researchers can trace the early path of the Denver and Rio Grande R. R. and locate old sites like the Oro Fino Mill and Pinkerton Hot Springs.

  7. 1898 Map of Engineer Mountain, 1955 Print
    1898 Map of Engineer Mountain, 1955 Print
    1898 Engineer Mountain
    1955 Print · USGS
    The San Juan high country comes alive in this late nineteenth-century survey of the rugged terrain between Durango and Silverton. Researchers can trace early infrastructure like the Denver and Rio Grande RR, the Old Tollgate, and Hamor's Ranch.
    3 unique versions available

  8. 1898 Map of Rico, 1957 Print
    1898 Map of Rico, 1957 Print
    1898 Rico
    1957 Print · USGS
    The mining town of Rico and its surrounding peaks were a hub of activity in the late nineteenth century as the narrow-gauge railroad pushed through the mountains. Researchers can trace historic family holdings like Love's Ranch and the route of the Rio Grande Southern.

  9. 1899 Map of La Plata
    1899 Map of La Plata
    1899 La Plata
    1899 Print · USGS
    The high peaks of southwestern Colorado were a hive of industrial activity in the 1890s as railroads and mines pushed into the mountains. Researchers can trace the winding Rio Grande Southern R. R. and locate historic sites like Menefee Ranch, the Ute Coal Mine, and Parrott.

  10. 1899 Map of Rico
    1899 Map of Rico
    1899 Rico
    1899 Print · USGS
    The mining town of Rico and the high San Juan peaks come into focus in the 1890s as the railroad pushes through the valley. Trace the early settlement of the West Dolores region via Waechter's Ranch, Montelores, and the winding Rio Grande Southern line.
    5 unique versions available

  11. 1900 Map of Engineer Mountain
    1900 Map of Engineer Mountain
    1900 Engineer Mountain
    1900 Print · USGS
    High in the San Juan Mountains during the mining boom, this area served as a vital junction for four Colorado counties. Genealogists and historians can trace the Silverton Line railroad, find the Old Tollgate, and locate West Ranch.

  12. 1900 Map of Needle Mountains, 1955 Print
    1900 Map of Needle Mountains, 1955 Print
    1900 Needle Mountains
    1955 Print · USGS
    The high San Juan wilderness comes alive at the turn of the century as the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad penetrates the mountains. Researchers can trace remote mining-era sites like Needleton, the Quartz Mill, and the high-altitude camp at Beartown.
    3 unique versions available

  13. 1902 Map of Needle Mountains
    1902 Map of Needle Mountains
    1902 Needle Mountains
    1902 Print · USGS
    The San Juan high country comes alive in this turn-of-the-century survey of the Needle Mountains and the Animas River canyon. Trace the original Silverton Line to remote stops like Needleton or find high-altitude camps like Beartown.
    4 unique versions available

  14. 1905 Map of San Cristobal, 1963 Print
    1905 Map of San Cristobal, 1963 Print
    1905 San Cristobal
    1963 Print · USGS
    The high peaks of the San Juan Mountains are recorded here just after the turn of the century as mining and high-altitude ranching shaped the area. Researchers can trace the layout of early settlements like Whitecross and Sherman or locate the Lakemans Fishponds near the Continental Divide.

  15. 1907 Map of San Cristobal
    1907 Map of San Cristobal
    1907 San Cristobal
    1907 Print · USGS
    Hinsdale and Mineral counties are shown during the early years of the national forest system, following the Continental Divide through high alpine peaks. Genealogists and researchers can trace the locations of mining-era settlements like Whitecross and Carson, or remote sites like Lakemans Fishponds.
    5 unique versions available

  16. 1907 Map of Durango, 1955 Print
    1907 Map of Durango, 1955 Print
    1907 Durango
    1955 Print · USGS
    La Plata County's mining and railroad era comes to life in this survey of the Animas River corridor. Trace the early path of the Rio Grande Southern R. R. and locate historic industrial sites like the Durango Smelter and the Neglected Mine.
    2 unique versions available

  17. 1908 Map of Engineer Mountain
    1908 Map of Engineer Mountain
    1908 Engineer Mountain
    1908 Print · USGS
    High in the San Juan Mountains during the early 1900s, this survey documents the isolation of high-altitude ranching and the arrival of industrial power. Trace the Denver and Rio Grande RR corridor past Hamor's Ranch, the Old Tollgate, and the early hydroelectric infrastructure at Tacoma.
    3 unique versions available

  18. 1908 Map of Ignacio
    1908 Map of Ignacio
    1908 Ignacio
    1908 Print · USGS
    La Plata County and the Southern Ute lands are captured here in the first decade of the twentieth century. Genealogists and rail historians can trace the early growth of Durango and locate rural landmarks such as the Ute Indian Agency, Pinkerton Hot Springs, and the Oxford PO.
    3 unique versions available

  19. 1908 Map of Durango
    1908 Map of Durango
    1908 Durango
    1908 Print · USGS
    Durango and the Animas River valley are shown here at a peak of industrial activity in the early 1900s. Researchers can trace the narrow-gauge Denver and Rio Grande R. R. and locate specific sites like the Durango Smelter and Boston Coal Mine.
    3 unique versions available

  20. 1908 Map of La Plata
    1908 Map of La Plata
    1908 La Plata
    1908 Print · USGS
    The Rio Grande Southern Railroad and high-altitude mining operations define this mountain landscape at the turn of the century. Genealogists and industrial historians can trace the paths to the Columbus Mine, Hesperus, and the Menefee Ranch.
    3 unique versions available

  21. 1912 Map of Soda Canyon
    1912 Map of Soda Canyon
    1912 Soda Canyon
    1912 Print · USGS
    Montezuma County at the dawn of modern archaeology reveals a landscape dotted with ancestral dwellings. Researchers can trace the early documentation of Cliff Palace, Sprucetree House, and Balcony House alongside the winding course of the Mancos River.
    7 unique versions available

  22. 1913 Map of Red Mesa
    1913 Map of Red Mesa
    1913 Red Mesa
    1913 Print · USGS
    La Plata County's high mesa country is captured here shortly after the turn of the century, showing a landscape of early homesteads and irrigation ditches. Researchers can locate the Mormon Church, several early schools like Rockville School, and the tracks of the Rio Grande Southern RR.
    4 unique versions available

  23. 1915 Map of Soda Canyon
    1915 Map of Soda Canyon
    1915 Soda Canyon
    1915 Print · USGS
    Southwestern Colorado at the onset of the Great War reveals a landscape defined by deep canyons and ancient ruins. Archaeologists and historians can trace the early locations of Cliff Palace, the Double Walled Tower, and Waters Ranch.
    7 unique versions available

  24. 1924 Map of Ignacio, 1939 Print
    1924 Map of Ignacio, 1939 Print
    1924 Ignacio
    1939 Print · USGS
    La Plata County during the mid-1920s reveals a landscape shaped by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and the carving of the Animas River. Researchers can trace the early layout of DURANGO, locate remote mountain schoolhouses like Little Red Sch, and identify historic boundaries such as the South Boundary Ceded Ute Land.
    4 unique versions available

  25. 1924 Map of Pagosa Springs, 1958 Print
    1924 Map of Pagosa Springs, 1958 Print
    1924 Pagosa Springs
    1958 Print · USGS
    Archuleta County comes into focus in the 1920s as a vital mountain corridor defined by the San Juan and Piedra rivers. Genealogists and historians can trace the Denver and Rio Grande Western rail line and discover remote schoolhouses like Stollsteimer School and O'Neal Park School.
    2 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 135

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