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1958 Map of Empire

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Empire
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

Empire and the surrounding mining districts of Clear Creek Co sit at the intersection of high alpine terrain and industrial extraction in the late 1950s. The map illustrates the town's position along the West Fork Clear Creek, serving as a gateway to the steep ascents toward the Continental Divide. High above the valley floor, the settlement of Alice and the St Marys Glacier Lodge mark the transition from residential areas to the recreation and mining zones near St Marys Glacier.

Evidence of the area's geological wealth is visible through numerous workings, including the Minnesota Mines and Conqueror Mines. The rugged hydrology of the region is well-documented, from the Fraser River Diversion Dam in the northwest to the high-altitude Loch Lomond and Chinns Lake. Transportation routes such as the Rollins Pass Trail and the Empire Town Bdy Road connect these remote sites, while the Empire Cem and Alvarado Cem provide important touchstones for genealogical research in these mountain communities.