1981 Map of Howard

About this map

The Arkansas River serves as the central artery through this portion of Fremont County, carving a path that dictated the placement of early transportation and industry. The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad tracks closely parallel the river's course, connecting the small settlements of Howard and Vallie. While the river valley supports concentrated development like the Howard Cem and various gravel pits, the surrounding terrain rises sharply into the high country. To the southwest, the San Isabel National Forest encompasses the drainage basins of Stout Creek and Cherry Creek, where the Rainbow Trail skirts the lower slopes. The presence of numerous labeled prospects and mines, such as those along Alkali Gulch and Sand Gulch, highlights a landscape defined by small-scale mineral exploration tucked between the riverside rails and the heights of Copper Mountain.