Loading map...

1951 Map of Brush West

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Brush West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

The South Platte River corridor dominates this 1950s landscape, serving as the lifeblood for a sophisticated network of agricultural irrigation in Morgan County. The intricate system of water management is visible through numerous man-made channels such as the Riverside Canal, Curry Canal, and the Tremont Pacific Canal, which branch out to support the surrounding plains. The settlement of Brush anchors the southeastern corner of the map, characterized by its rail-oriented layout along the Union Pacific line.

Social infrastructure of the era is well-represented, from the localized Colwell School and Morey School to the prominent Eben-Ezer Hospital. The terrain beyond the river valley is dotted with essential water-finding features, including numerous Windmills and Springs, highlighting the constant effort to reclaim and sustain this arid environment. Natural drainage features like Wildcat Creek and Badger Creek converge toward the river, illustrating the natural topography that shaped the placement of early homesteads and the small community of Lodi.