Old Maps of San Juan County, Colorado for Academic Research

Study the evolution of San Juan County with 97 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.

  • Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
  • Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
  • Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.

These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how San Juan County has changed over the decades.


San Juan County, CO maps

(97)
  1. 1897 Map of Telluride
    1897 Map of Telluride
    1897 Telluride
    1897 Print · USGS
    Mining and railroading define the San Miguel Mountains during the 1890s silver boom. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of Telluride and its surrounding camps, including Pandora, Ames (P.O.), and the Nellie Mine.

  2. 1897 Map of Silverton
    1897 Map of Silverton
    1897 Silverton
    1897 Print · USGS
    Silverton and its surrounding mining camps are captured at their industrial peak in the mid-1890s. Trace the intricate rail networks like the Silverton and Red Mountain R.R. and locate family-named operations like the Yankee Girl Mine or Stoiber Smelter.
    2 unique versions available

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 1901 Map of Silverton, 1957 Print
    1901 Map of Silverton, 1957 Print
    1901 Silverton
    1957 Print · USGS
    Silverton was the bustling center of the San Juan silver boom when these mountain railroads were at their peak. Genealogists and historians can trace the high-altitude rail lines to remote camps like Animas Forks, Guston, and Red Mountain.

  7. 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

  8. 1902 Map of Silverton
    1902 Map of Silverton
    1902 Silverton
    1902 Print · USGS
    Silverton and its surrounding high-country mining camps are captured here during the peak of the San Juan mountain silver boom. Genealogists and industrial historians can trace the paths of the Silverton Northern R.R. to remote outposts like Animas Forks, Eureka, and the Sunnyside Mill.
    4 unique versions available

  9. 1904 Map of Telluride
    1904 Map of Telluride
    1904 Telluride
    1904 Print · USGS
    The San Juan Mountains were at the height of their mining boom when this survey was conducted at the turn of the century. Genealogists and historians can trace the intricate rail network of the Rio Grande Southern R.R. and locate storied operations like the Smuggler Mine and the community at Ophir.
    2 unique versions available

  10. 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.

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 1945 Map of Durango
    1945 Map of Durango
    1945 Durango
    1945 Print · USGS
    Southwest Colorado and Northern New Mexico at mid-century are defined by the high peaks of the San Juan Range and the tribal lands of the Southern Ute. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the D & R G W RR and locate local landmarks like Animas City and the Blanco Basin School.
    3 unique versions available

  14. 1953 Map of Durango, 1963 Print
    1953 Map of Durango, 1963 Print
    1953 Durango
    1963 Print · USGS
    The high peaks of the San Juan Mountains and the Colorado mining country are shown here as they appeared in the early fifties. Genealogists and local historians can trace the rail lines of the D & R G W RR and locate historic mining camps like Silverton, Ouray, and Old Ophir.

  15. 1954 Map of Durango
    1954 Map of Durango
    1954 Durango
    1954 Print · USGS
    Southern Colorado in the mid-1950s was defined by high-altitude mining towns and the expansion of water storage in the San Luis Valley. Trace the narrow-gauge Denver & Rio Grande Western RR as it connects Durango to mountain outposts like Silverton and Creede.
    2 unique versions available

  16. 1955 Map of Ironton, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Ironton, 1957 Print
    1955 Ironton
    1957 Print · USGS
    The San Juan mining districts are captured here in the mid-fifties, showing the deep industrial roots of the Ouray and San Juan county lines. Genealogists and historians can trace the sites of Ironton, Guston, and the Revenue Mine, or locate the abandoned aerial tramway near Ingram Lake.
    5 unique versions available

  17. 1955 Map of Silverton, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Silverton, 1957 Print
    1955 Silverton
    1957 Print · USGS
    Silverton and its surrounding San Juan mountain peaks are captured during the mid-fifties when mining and rail operations still defined the local economy. Researchers can trace the Denver and Rio Grande Western rail lines and dozens of named claims like the Lackawanna Mine and Mayflower Mill.
    7 unique versions available

  18. 1955 Map of Telluride, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Telluride, 1957 Print
    1955 Telluride
    1957 Print · USGS
    Telluride and its high-altitude mining basins are captured here during the mid-fifties, showing the town before its modern transformation. Researchers can trace historic operations like the Smuggler Mine, find the Tomboy (Ruins) townsite, and locate Lone Tree Cem.
    8 unique versions available

  19. 1955 Map of Handies Peak, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Handies Peak, 1957 Print
    1955 Handies Peak
    1957 Print · USGS
    High-altitude mining camps and mountain passes characterize the San Juan Mountains during the mid-fifties. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of Animas Forks, the Sunnyside Mine, and the Old Lout Mine.
    7 unique versions available

  20. 1955 Map of Howardsville, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Howardsville, 1957 Print
    1955 Howardsville
    1957 Print · USGS
    The San Juan high country in the mid-1950s reveals a landscape still thick with the infrastructure of the mining boom. Researchers can trace the path of numerous aerial tramways connecting the Animas River valley to storied sites like the Old Hundred Mine and Silver Lake Mine.
    8 unique versions available

  21. 1955 Map of Ophir, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Ophir, 1957 Print
    1955 Ophir
    1957 Print · USGS
    The high-altitude mining community of Ophir is captured here in the mid-1950s, surrounded by a complex network of industrial history and alpine basins. Researchers can trace the Old RR Grade and locate historic workings such as the Gold King Mine and the Ophir Loop Sch.
    7 unique versions available

  22. 1955 Map of Telluride, 1959 Print
    1955 Map of Telluride, 1959 Print
    1955 Telluride
    1959 Print · USGS
    High in the San Miguel Mountains during the 1950s, this area shows the peak of Colorado's mining infrastructure. Genealogists and historians can trace the Rio Grande Southern Railroad past Tomboy and the Ophir Loop Sch.
    5 unique versions available

  23. 1955 Map of Silverton, 1960 Print
    1955 Map of Silverton, 1960 Print
    1955 Silverton
    1960 Print · USGS
    Silverton and the high San Juans are shown at a peak of mid-century mining activity, linked by rail and the mountain-hugging Million Dollar Highway. Researchers can trace historic claims and infrastructure from the Mayflower Mill to the remote Eureka and Howardsville town sites.
    3 unique versions available

  24. 1960 Map of Hermosa Peak, 1962 Print
    1960 Map of Hermosa Peak, 1962 Print
    1960 Hermosa Peak
    1962 Print · USGS
    High in the Rico Mountains during the early sixties, this area shows the intersection of four Colorado counties amid mining and forest lands. Researchers can trace historic extraction sites like the Spanish King No 1 Mine and navigate through Bolam Pass or Tin Can Basin.
    4 unique versions available

  25. 1960 Map of Engineer Mountain, 1962 Print
    1960 Map of Engineer Mountain, 1962 Print
    1960 Engineer Mountain
    1962 Print · USGS
    The high San Juan Mountains are documented here in the early sixties as a rugged intersection of forest management and early recreation. Researchers can trace the routes of the Highline Trail, locate Harris Ranch, and identify historic sites like the Columbine Ranger Sta.
    7 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 97

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