1981 Map of Colony Ranch

About this map

The Pueblo Mountains dominate the western edge of this High Desert landscape, giving way to the vast Pueblo Valley where water management defines human activity. In this arid reach of Harney County during the early 1980s, the eponymous Colony Ranch and the interestingly named Poor Farm indicate the sparse but significant settlement patterns of the region. The map reveals an intricate network of water resources, including the Pueblo Slough and various Flowing Wells, which were essential for sustaining life and livestock in the shadow of the Sand Hills. Numerous 4WD tracks crisscross the terrain, linking remote outposts like the Pueblo Well and sites of former activity marked by Ruins and a Corral. To the east, the landscape transitions through Mapes Flat toward Long Canyon, illustrating the topographical variation between the steep mountain slopes and the valley floor.