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1893 Map of Arroyo

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Arroyo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1901
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1901

About this map

The Kansas Division Union Pacific Railroad cuts a diagonal path across the high plains of Eastern Colorado, anchoring the isolated settlements of Boxero and Arroyo in the late 19th century. This 1889 survey captures a landscape defined more by topography and ranching than by urban development, with the Sand Hills and Buffalo Basin marking the drainages of Big Sandy Creek and Rush Creek.

Isolated holdings like the Cox Ranch, Sheep Ranch, and Mosley Ranch illustrate the early cattle era before significant homesteading broke up the range. To the south, the terrain drops toward the expansive Salt Wells Flat and Adobe Creek, while Galatea sits near the border of Kiowa and Cheyenne counties. The map provides a rare look at the original water sources and landmarks used by early surveyors and stockmen, including Bull-Snake Hill and Wild Horse Point.