1968 Map of Center South

About this map

Center anchors the northern edge of this agricultural landscape, where the high desert of the San Luis Valley is organized by a rigid grid of mile-interval roads and irrigation infrastructure. The territory is defined by an extensive network of ditches and laterals, including the Rio Grande Drain, Prairie Ditch, and Raney Ditch, which support the intensive farming indicated by numerous flowing wells. The San Luis Central railroad corridor runs north-south through the center of the sheet, connecting small loading points and settlements like Ansel, Dunul, and Vastine. This 1968 topography highlights the intersection of transportation and water management, featuring the Sargent High Sch and a local Landing Strip. The map also captures the convergence of Saguache, Rio Grande, and Alamosa counties, illustrating the geopolitical boundaries of this productive basin.