1968 Map of Alkali Lake

About this map

Missouri Pacific tracks cut a straight line across the northern expanse of this High Plains landscape, reflecting the critical role of rail transport in Kiowa County during the late 1960s. The terrain is defined by its arid character, with the basin of Alkali Lake sitting in the south and scattered wells and a Drill Hole indicating the search for water and resources in an otherwise sparse environment. Near the eastern edge, Chivington Hill provides a rare point of elevation overlooking the railroad right-of-way. The mapping captures a specific moment in rural Colorado's history where the layout of section lines and the proximity to the rail line dictated the pattern of ranching and early industrial exploration.