1966 Map of Coal Creek

About this map

Buckley Air National Guard Base dominates the western edge of this Colorado landscape, marking a period of significant military and aeronautical expansion on the outskirts of Denver. The map reveals a transition from open ranching and agricultural land, indicated by the small settlement of Pritchard, to a more specialized 1960s economy featuring the Century 21 International Speedway and the East Colfax Airpark. Infrastructure is anchored by the Union Pacific railroad corridor and historical thoroughfares like Airline Road. The natural geography is defined by a series of north-flowing intermittent streams, including Murphy Creek, Senac Creek, and Coal Creek, which carve subtle drainages across the terrain. Large tracts of land are designated as Military Reservation, preserving much of the open space even as the Aurora Corporate Boundary begins to press into the southeastern plains.