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1962 Map of Iris

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Iris
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Iris and the surrounding mining district near the Gunnison and Saguache county line are characterized by a dense concentration of early mineral claims and homesteads. The landscape is defined by the steep cuts of Cochetopa Canyon and the winding course of Cochetopa Creek, where small settlements like Sillsville and the Kreuger Ranch once stood. High-altitude mining operations are scattered across the terrain, from the Denver City Mine near the townsite to the Maple Leaf Mine and Hathaway Mine further south.

Local family history is preserved through numerous named dwellings, including the Flick Homestead, Mick Homestead, and Post Homestead. This 1962 field check documents the area's transition from a bustling mining hub to a more isolated ranching and homesteading landscape. Notable landmarks such as the Iris Cem and the prominent Green Mountain provide essential points of reference for genealogists and historians tracing the settlement patterns of this remote high-country region.