1973 Map of Dry Gulch

About this map

Abbott Ch stands as a focal point in this high plains landscape of Washington County, captured during the mid-1970s. The terrain is defined by the ephemeral drainage patterns of Vega Creek, Dry Gulch, and Sand Creek, which carve through the arid topography. This era shows an increasing industrial presence in the region, marked by the development of the Roderick Oil Field and numerous individual oil wells and pipelines. These resource extraction efforts are supported by remote Landing Strips, emphasizing the isolated nature of operations in this portion of Colorado. The map provides a clear look at the infrastructure of the plains before late-twentieth-century shifts, documenting the specific locations of wells and rural landmarks like the Abbott Ch that served the local ranching and oil-working communities.