1959 Map of Bonanza

About this map

The high-altitude mining district surrounding Bonanza is the centerpiece of this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape deeply marked by extraction and the Continental Divide. Numerous active and historic operations punctuate the terrain, including the Rawley Mine, Michigan Mine, and Colorado Belle Mine, alongside processing sites like the Little Bonanza Mill and Superior Mill. The settlement pattern follows the narrow valleys of Kerber Creek and Brewery Creek, where the Sedgwick townsite reflects the shifting fortunes of the district. Infrastructure of the era is evident through the D & R G W RR line passing through Mears Junction and the presence of the Brewery Creek Guard Station. Located at the intersection of the Gunnison, San Isabel, and Rio Grande National Forest, the map captures the transition from industrial mining to federal land management.