1940 Map of Derby

About this map

The industrial and agricultural fringes north of Denver are captured here in a 1938 survey, showcasing a landscape defined by water engineering and early aviation. The South Platte River and its major tributaries, Clear Creek and Sand Creek, provide the central axis for the region's development. This water is diverted into a complex network of irrigation works, including the Fulton Ditch, O'Brien Ditch, and the Highline Canal, which support the rural settlements of Welby and Irondale.