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1965 Map of Bowie

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Bowie
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

The North Fork Gunnison River carves a critical industrial corridor through this portion of Delta County, where the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad follows the valley floor to serve the local coal mining operations. The settlement of Bowie and the nearby Juanita Junction represent the heart of this activity, supported by landmarks such as the Bowie Mine and a cableway crossing the river. The topography is defined by high mesas and peaks, including Lennox Mesa and Jumbo Mountain, which overlook a complex network of agricultural water management systems like the Farmers Canal and Stewart Ditch.

Upland areas within the Gunnison National Forest reveal a different landscape of seasonal camps and resource management. Features like Morrell Cow Camp and Betty Park suggest the high-country ranching traditions of the era, while the Overland Trail and various jeep trails provide access through the timbered slopes. From the Terror Creek Reservoir to the depths of Stevens Gulch, this map captures the mid-century intersection of extractive industry and mountain agriculture.