2019 Map of Hand Springs

About this map

Antelope Spring and a series of high-plains water sources anchor this remote landscape in Bent County, where the high desert terrain is carved by ephemeral drainages. The distribution of Santastevens Spring, Medford Spring, and Hand Springs suggests the critical importance of reliable water for livestock and early ranching in this arid stretch of Colorado. Evidence of past community life appears at the Antelope School and the Bethel Cem located along Co RD 24. These landmarks, along with named waterways like Antelope Cr and Little Angry Cr, provide a framework for understanding the sparse settlement patterns that have persisted through the modern era. The survey also details the section lines and township boundaries of T25S and T26S, illustrating the geometric precision of the Public Land Survey System in the American West.