1983 Map of Durango

About this map

Durango serves as the regional hub for this 1980s landscape, where the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad heads north into the San Juan National Forest. The map captures a transition from the agricultural plateaus of Florida Mesa and Montezuma Mesa to the high wilderness areas of the Weminuche Wilderness. Key water management features such as Vallecito Reservoir, Lemon Reservoir, and the northern reach of Navajo Reservoir define the local hydrology, while the Southern Ute Indian Reservation spans the southern portion of the sheet. Researchers can find numerous small settlements like Gem Village, Ignacio, and the rail-oriented Pagosa Junction (Gato). This edition reflects the region's mid-century development, showing the expansion of Fort Lewis College and the Durango-La Plata Co Airport alongside traditional ranching and mountain landscapes.