1950 Map of Greasewood Lake

About this map

Greasewood Flats define this expanse of the Colorado high plains, captured in a 1950 survey that reveals a landscape transition from cattle country to energy exploration. The northern portion of the map is dominated by Greasewood Lake, a vital water source in this arid terrain, surrounded by numerous windmills that speak to the region's reliance on groundwater for ranching. This era of the Missouri River Basin development shows a mix of older community landmarks and newer industrial activity, evidenced by the Prairie Queen School (Aban'd) and several scattered oil wells. Seasonal watercourses like Sandborn Draw, Coal Bank Draw, and Greasewood Draw carve subtle drainage patterns across the county line dividing Weld and Morgan counties, marking the natural topography of a territory where water management and mineral extraction were becoming the primary drivers of land use.