1956 Map of Curecanti Needle

About this map

The Curecanti Needle rises sharply above the Gunnison River in this mid-1950s survey of the western Colorado highlands. The map details the transition between high mesas and the steep walls of the Black Canyon, where water sources like Mesa Creek and Myers Gulch cut through the terrain. Human presence is marked by isolated outposts such as Knott Ranch and McLeod Ranch, along with the Halfway House to the southeast. A glimpse into the region's changing settlement patterns is seen at the Rimrock Sch (Aband), while a Gaging Sta and Gravel Pit indicate the technical and industrial needs of the era. Much of the land falls within the Gunnison National Forest, punctuated by high-altitude features like Fitzpatrick Mesa and the aptly named Dry Lake.