1978 Map of Bartlett

About this map

Bartlett sits at a literal and metaphorical crossroads in the late 1970s, where the steel of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad cuts a straight line through the high plains of Baca County. This landscape is defined by its water management and agricultural infrastructure, evidenced by the numerous marked wells scattered across the township grid. The drainage patterns of Horse Creek, Bear Creek, and Muddy Creek suggest a terrain carved by seasonal flows, while the small settlement of Fenix marks a secondary node of activity along the rail corridor. For researchers of Colorado’s southeastern corner, this document captures the sparse but organized settlement pattern required to sustain life and industry in a semi-arid environment during the mid-to-late 20th century.