Loading map...

1951 Map of Dearfield

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Dearfield
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The South Platte River corridor in Weld County reveals an intricate mid-century network of irrigation and rail infrastructure, centered on the historic settlement of Dearfield. This community stands at the eastern edge of a landscape heavily modified for agriculture, where the Riverside Canal and Empire Bijou Canal divert water across the plains to support local holdings. The heavy presence of water management is further evidenced by Riverside Reservoir and smaller features like Seventy Holes Lake.

Large cattle operations and family-named landmarks such as Eagles Nest Ranch, Reverse K Four Ranch, and F Quarter Circle Ranch indicate the region's ranching economy. The Union Pacific railroad runs parallel to the river, providing the primary transport link for this rural district. Numerous windmills scattered across the terrain highlight the reliance on groundwater for livestock and homesteads in the arid Colorado climate during the early 1950s.