1970 Map of Bijou Basin

About this map

The Bijou Basin dominates this landscape along the border of Elbert and El Paso Counties, where the high plains terrain is carved by the drainages of Comanche Creek and West Bijou Creek. This 1970 field-checked survey reveals a sparsely populated ranching and resource area, characterized by family-named landmarks and small-scale industrial sites. The presence of the Bijou Basin Cem near the southern boundary provides a vital anchor for genealogists tracing early families in this portion of the basin. The map documents the mid-century transition toward varied land use, noting an Oil Well and a Drill Hole alongside traditional grazing lands. Geologic features like the Knob and a Gravel Pit further define the local topography, which is largely structured around the north-flowing creek beds that shaped the settlement patterns of this central Colorado region.