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1906 Map of Blackhawk

Name: 1906 Topographic Map of Blackhawk
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1906
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1906

About this map

Blackhawk and the surrounding Front Range canyons are documented here during a period of intense mining and early mountain ranching. The landscape is defined by the steep drainages of North Boulder Creek and South Boulder Creek, where water rights are managed through infrastructure like the Coal Creek Community Ditch. High-altitude agriculture and livestock operations are evident in the numerous named properties such as Skate Ranch, Winiger Ranch, and the Benson Ranch.

Transportation through these canyons relied on the winding routes of the Denver Northwestern and Pacific RR and the Greeley SL & PRR, which navigated the complex terrain alongside early wagon roads like Dory Hill Road. Social centers for the scattered mountain residents appear in the form of the Pine Glade School and small settlements like Magnolia, Rollinsville, and Pactolus. The mapping of small gulches such as Rattlesnake Gulch and Fourmile Gulch highlights the importance of every drainage for prospecting and livestock water in this arid but resource-heavy region.