1955 Map of Ironton

About this map

Mining operations and high-altitude settlements dominate this mid-century survey of the San Juan Mountains. The industrial footprint is evident at the Camp Bird No 14 Level and the nearby Camp Bird Tailings Pond, reflecting decades of extraction along the Canyon Creek drainage. Key transit routes including the Million Dollar Highway and the Weehawken Pack Trail navigate the steep grades between the Uncompahgre River and the high peaks of Potosi Peak and Red Mountain. Small communities like Ironton, Guston, and Sneffels serve as anchors for a landscape dotted with numerous workings, including the National Bell Mine and Black Bear Mine. An interesting administrative note in the margin mentions that land lines were omitted due to alleged fraud in original surveys, highlighting the complex history of property claims in this resource-rich corridor.