Loading map...

1954 Map of Elder

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Elder
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The confluence of the Apishapa River and the Arkansas River serves as the geographic anchor for this mid-century topographic study. The landscape is defined by an intricate network of irrigation engineering, where the Catlin Canal, Oxford Farmers Ditch, and Rocky Ford Highline Canal weave across the terrain to support local agriculture. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor follows the northern riverbank, passing through the small settlement of Elder.

Away from the fertile river bottoms, the topography rises sharply toward the Apishapa Bluff and the drainage of Smith Hollow. Local landmarks such as the Number Six Sch and Mount View Cemetery offer specific points of interest for genealogists tracing family roots in Otero County. The presence of a Gaging Sta and various water sources like Arnell Springs highlights the critical importance of water management in this arid Colorado environment.