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1893 Map of Apishapa

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Apishapa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1893
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1893

About this map

Apishapa River cuts a deep, winding path through this high-plains landscape, carving out the prominent West Cañon as it flows toward the north. Surveyed in 1889, the map reveals a sparsely populated territory where human activity is dictated by water and the iron rail. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad bisects the southeastern corner, serving as the primary lifeline for the small settlements of Thatcher and Delhi.

Beyond the tracks, the terrain is defined by dramatic natural landmarks like the Rattlesnake Buttes and a complex network of seasonal drainages, including Mustang Creek and Timpas Creek. Topographers Willard D. Johnson and A. C. Barclay captured the elevation changes across four county lines—Pueblo, Otero, Huerfano, and Las Animas—documenting the transition from open grazing land to the rugged breaks of the river canyon.