1949 Map of Holy Cross

About this map

The Camp Hale Military Reservation dominates the high-altitude landscape of this 1949 field-checked survey, reflecting the area's significance as a training ground during the mid-20th century. Situated along the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, the base and nearby Pando represent a specialized military infrastructure carved into the White River Plateau. The geography is defined by the Continental Divide, which separates the headwaters of Homestake Creek and Cross Creek, and is marked by the iconic Mt of the Holy Cross. To the southeast, the mining legacy of the Rockies is visible near Leadville, featuring the Matchless Mine and El Capitan Mine. This map documents a transition from early mining outposts like Holy Cross City to the coordinated transportation and defense networks of the post-war era, including the Leadville Landing Field and the thoroughfare of Tennessee Pass.