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1949 Map of Gowanda

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Gowanda
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

St Vrain Creek meanders through this portion of Weld County, defining a landscape of irrigation ditches and rural infrastructure as it stood in the mid-20th century. The settlement of Gowanda and the crossroads at Mead anchor the northern reaches, while the Union Pacific railroad corridor facilitates movement through Harney. This survey captures the transition of local education, noting the Pearl Howlett School (Aban'd) alongside the St Vrain Sch and Dailey School, providing a clear look at the school districts serving the farming community.

Water management is central to the area's development, evidenced by the Mulligan Reservoir, Foster Reservoir, and Lake Marie. Cultural sites like the Rinn Valley Grange and the Barbour Ponds State Recreation Area reflect the social and recreational life of the era. The detailed network of irrigation lines, such as the Last Chance Drainage, illustrates the engineering required to sustain agriculture in the region.