1965 Map of Commerce City

About this map

The South Platte River and Clear Creek corridor serves as the industrial and transportation backbone for this mid-century view of the Denver metropolitan area. The landscape is defined by its extensive rail infrastructure, with the Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, and Chicago Rock Island and Pacific lines converging near the Denver Union Stockyards. Urban expansion is evident in the residential developments of Thornton, Northglenn, and Commerce City, while the massive Rocky Mountain Arsenal dominates the eastern landscape. Local heritage is captured through numerous neighborhood landmarks, including Riverside Cemetery, Rose Hill Cemetery, and the Denver Coliseum. The map also illustrates the early footprint of Stapleton International Airport before its decommissioning, alongside institutional anchors like Manual High School and Assumption School.