1952 Map of Horse Mountain

About this map

The White River National Forest defines this high-elevation landscape in Garfield County, where the transition from dense forest to industrial energy exploration is clearly visible. The survey captures a mid-century period of resource extraction along the Grand Hogback, featuring several sites marked as Coal Mine and Coal Mines, including a specifically designated Active Coal Mine in the southern reaches. This industrial presence contrasts with the social infrastructure of the time, such as the Upper Rifle Creek School located near the eastern edge of the map. Water management for the arid terrain is evident through features like the Harris Reservoir and Parker Lake. Much of the southwestern quadrant is occupied by the Naval Oil Shale Reserve, reflecting the strategic importance of this region’s geology during the early 1950s. High peaks like Horse Mountain and the prominent Parker Ridge provide the vertical relief for the drainage systems of Middle Rifle Creek and its tributaries.