1962 Map of Grand Junction

About this map

The confluence of the Colorado River and the Gunnison River defines the landscape of Grand Junction in the mid-1960s. This survey, updated with 1970s revisions, shows a city expanding through irrigation and industrial development. The AEC Grand Junction Compound sits at the river junction, highlighting the importance of the nuclear era to the local economy, while the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad maintains its footprint through the urban core. To the north and south, the valley is segmented by an intricate network of water infrastructure, including the Grand Valley Canal and Price Ditch, which support agricultural pockets like Appleton and Leach. Higher ground is marked by Orchard Mesa and the residential growth near Walker Field. The map also identifies several medical and social institutions such as the Veterans Hospital and the State Home and Training Sch.