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1965 Map of Commerce City

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Commerce City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The South Platte River and its industrial corridor dominate this landscape, reflecting a period of intense mid-century growth in the northern Denver metropolitan area. The map illustrates the complex intersection of logistics and urban development, anchored by the sprawling Stapleton International Airport and the historic Denver Union Stockyard. Transportation infrastructure is highly dense, featuring major rail networks such as the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern railroads, alongside emerging interstate routes.

Local civic life is detailed through a high concentration of educational and religious institutions, including Clayton College for Boys and various parochial schools like Holy Cross Sch. The eastern edge is defined by the restricted grounds of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, providing a stark contrast to the rapidly expanding residential districts of Thornton, Commerce City, and Northglenn. Water management is prominent throughout the quadrangle, with numerous irrigation features like the Burlington Canal and Agricultural Ditch serving the region's historical agricultural needs amidst encroaching urbanization.