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1900 Map of Engineer Mountain

Name: 1900 Topographic Map of Engineer Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1900
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1900

About this map

Denver and Rio Grande R. R. (Silverton Line) winds through the eastern canyon along the Animas River, a critical transportation link for the San Juan mountains at the end of the nineteenth century. This high-altitude landscape is defined by the convergence of four counties—Dolores, San Juan, Montezuma, and La Plata—meeting near the expansive Hermosa Park. The mapping shows early mountain infrastructure, including the Butler Trail and the Old Tollgate, which once facilitated movement across these high passes before modern highways.

Prominent peaks like Engineer Mt. and Potato Hill overlook a network of watercourses, such as Hermosa Creek and Cascade Creek. Local livestock and travel history is anchored by the West Ranch and the Cascade Siding rail stop. The survey provides a clear view of the complex terrain that governed early Colorado mining and ranching life, from the depths of Animas River canyon to the shores of Bishop Lakes.