1961 Map of Corral Bluffs

About this map

The dramatic geological formation known as Corral Bluffs dominates this early 1960s El Paso County landscape, where the high plains meet sharp escarpments. This era of ranching is well-documented through a network of named properties including the Flying Lazy S Ranch, Mitchell Ranch, and the W B Livestock Company, illustrating a period when large-scale cattle operations shaped the regional economy. Industrial activity is concentrated on the western edge of the bluffs, where mining operations like the Franceville Mine and a Strip Mine are linked to the transportation history of an Old Railroad Grade. Water drainage patterns for the area are defined by Chico Creek and Williams Creek, which cut through the lower elevations below the bluffs. Local transportation is represented by early alignments of Drennan Road and Blaney Road, providing essential access for the scattered ranching families of the Colorado high desert.