1917 Map of Del Norte

About this map

Del Norte and Monte Vista serve as the primary anchors for this 1910s landscape, where the high peaks of the La Garita Mountains meet the agricultural expanse of the S L Valley. The survey reveals a sophisticated irrigation network vital to the region's development, featuring the Farmers Union Ditch, Travelers Canal, and Blanco Ditch. These waterways transformed the arid plains into productive farmland, supported by a dense grid of rural educational institutions such as Noffsinger School, Bobs School, and the North Center School. Along the Rio Grande, the Denver and Rio Grande RR provided essential transport for the valley's resources. From the State Fish Hatchery to the heights of Poison Mtn, the map captures the transition from a timbered wilderness in the Rio Grande National Forest to a structured ranching and farming community.