1956 Map of Cimarron

About this map

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison carves a deep, dramatic path through the center of this mid-1950s survey, illustrating the stark elevation changes between the Gunnison River and the high plateaus of Poverty Mesa and Gunnison Mesa. The settlement of Cimarron sits at the nexus of local water and transport routes, where the Old Railroad Grade follows the path of Cimarron Creek. This transportation corridor was vital for the regional economy before the expansion of modern highways. Evidence of early rural infrastructure appears in the remote southern reaches of the quadrangle, notably the District No 9 Sch (Aband) and a network of irrigation systems including the Cimarron Ditch and Collier Ditch. These features, along with several Jeep Trails crossing Dehl Point, reveal a landscape transitioned from early pioneer settlement to federal management within the Gunnison National Forest.