1945 Map of Durango

About this map

The San Juan Mountains dominate this high-altitude survey, serving as a backdrop for the region's mid-century mining and ranching economy. Silver and gold mining legacies are evident near Telluride, Rico, and Ophir, while the lower elevations reveal the agricultural development of the Florida Mesa and the vast Southern Ute Indian Reservation. This map illustrates the critical role of Narrow Gauge rail transport, featuring the extensive tracks of the Denver & Rio Grande Western RR and the Rio Grande Southern RR as they wind through the Continental Divide. From the high peaks of the Needle Mountains to the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley, the landscape is a complex network of National Forest lands and isolated settlements like Pagosa Springs and Tierra Amarilla. Hydrological management is also on display, marked by the prominent Vallecito Reservoir and Rio Grande Reservoir.