1961 Map of Elsmere

About this map

Peterson Field and its extensive runway network dominate the central landscape of El Paso County during this early 1960s revision. South of the airfield, the burgeoning suburban development of Security appears in high detail, showcasing a planned residential grid featuring Sproul Sch and Widefield High Sch. This era of growth is contrasted by the lingering agricultural and rail infrastructure of the high plains, including the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad passing through Elsmere. Large-scale water management is evident in the Big Johnson Reservoir and Little Johnson Res, fed by Canal No 4. The map also captures local recreational culture with the Pikes Peak Speedway and a designated Drag Strip located just north of the primary air facility, reflecting the region's mid-century transition from open prairie to a major military and suburban hub.