1908 Map of Engineer Mountain

About this map

Denver and Rio Grande RR tracks follow the River Animas through the eastern edge of this San Juan Mountains landscape, connecting the high-altitude industrial sites of the era. The map captures a transition in mountain transport and infrastructure, from the Old Tollgate and Butler Trail to the developing power works at Tacoma. In the center of the sheet, the expansive Hermosa Park sits beneath Hermosa Mtn, while Ignacio Reservoir and a nearby Power House indicate the early 20th-century harnessed energy of Cascade Creek. Settlement is sparse, represented by Hamor's Ranch near Columbine Lake, illustrating the isolated nature of ranching and railway life in the high San Juan National Forest before the expansion of modern tourism. Landmark peaks like Engineer Mtn and Jura Knob dominate the northern skyline, marking the rugged divide between San Juan and Dolores counties.