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1955 Map of Ironton

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Ironton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The high-altitude mining landscapes of Ouray and San Juan Counties come into focus on this mid-century survey, illustrating an era when the intense industrial extraction of the San Juan Mountains was clearly etched into the terrain. The map centers on the legendary Camp Bird operations, featuring the Camp Bird Tailings Pond and the extensive Camp Bird No 14 Level. This complex network of tunnels and levels, such as Bankers Tunnel and Chicago Tunnel, reveals the vertical scale of the hunt for gold and silver.

Along the winding path of U.S. 550, also known as the Million Dollar Highway, the settlements of Ironton and Guston stand near the iconic trio of Red Mountain No. 1, Red Mountain No. 2, and Red Mountain No. 3. Evidence of earlier industrial might is found at the Saratoga Smelter ruins near Crystal Lake. The map also documents a vast web of alpine transport, including the Weehawken Pack Trail and numerous Jeep Trails that connected remote sites like the Michael Breen Mine and Black Bear Mine.