1969 Map of Great Divide

About this map

Great Divide serves as the central focal point of this high-altitude landscape in Moffat County, situated in an area defined by its complex drainage network and industrial infrastructure. The settlement is positioned near the headwaters of Bighole Gulch, illustrating the historic reliance on seasonal water sources in this arid region of Colorado. A prominent Pipeline traverses the northwestern portion of the map, cutting across the natural topography as a marker of the era's mid-century energy development. The terrain is deeply etched by various seasonal waterways, including Scandinavian Gulch and Dry Gulch, which dictate the movement and layout of local unimproved roads. This 1969 field-checked survey captures the transition of the region from purely ranching and homesteading toward the modern industrial needs of the Western Slope.