1954 Map of Craig

About this map

The Continental Divide zigzags through this mid-century look at Northwest Colorado, separating the headwaters of the North Platte River from the Colorado River basin. Following the 1974 revision, the landscape reveals a region defined by high-altitude cattle ranching and early energy development, particularly noted by the presence of Uranium Mines and the rail hub at Craig. The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad serves as a vital artery through the Yampa River valley, connecting mountain outposts like Steamboat Springs and Phippsburg to the wider world. To the east, the high basin of North Park centers on Walden, surrounded by the Medicine Bow Mountains. The map provides a look at a wilderness transitioning into a recreational destination, with massive protected tracts like the Routt National Forest and the Mount Zirkel Wilderness established well before modern development took hold.