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1969 Map of Huerfano Butte

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Huerfano Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The eponymous Huerfano Butte stands as a prominent volcanic landmark in this semi-arid landscape during the late 1960s. The area is defined by its water management systems, notably the Orlando Ditch and Homestead Canal, which move water from the Huerfano River to support the local agricultural economy. Small settlements and rural infrastructure are scattered across the terrain, including Apache City and the nearby Apache Creek.

Genealogists will find value in the location of the Speed Cem and Butte Cem, which provide clues to the families who worked this land. Transportation in the region is dominated by the Denver and Rio Grande Western rail line, which follows the river's path. From the seasonal flows of Pope Arroyo to the vital storage at Orlando Reservoir No 2, the map captures the critical relationship between the desert geography and the infrastructure built to inhabit it.