1952 Map of Anvil Points

About this map

Industrial experimentation dominates this high-altitude landscape within the Naval Oil Shale Reserve, where mid-century energy development is mapped in detail. The topography is defined by the massive Roan Cliffs, which separate the rugged northern plateaus from the lower valley floors. At the base of these cliffs, the Bureau of Mines Oil Shale Experiment Station and the adjacent Tank Farm indicate a period of intense federal research into alternative fuel sources. This survey captures the infrastructure of the Anvil Points Oil Shale Mine and the Rulison Oil Shale Mine (Inactive) during a time when oil shale was viewed as a strategic national resource. Away from the mines, small settlements like Glover Park and natural landmarks such as East Anvil Point and West Anvil Point provide context for the workforce and the remote geography of Garfield County.