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1950 Map of Johnstown

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Johnstown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Johnstown serves as a central hub in this agricultural landscape of northern Colorado, where the Great Western and Union Pacific railroads intersect amidst a complex network of irrigation. The surrounding plains are heavily modified by a sophisticated system of water management, evidenced by the Handy Ditch, Hillsboro Ditch, and Farmers Extension Ditch that draw from the Big Thompson River and Little Thompson River.

Smaller rural centers like Elwell, Pulliam, and Buda dot the countryside, supporting the local farming economy through facilities like the Walker Elevator. Evidence of early community life is preserved through labels for the Twin Mounds School, Erkenbeck Sch, and the Elwell Cem. The terrain is characterized by gentle slopes punctuated by the Twin Mounds and various reservoirs, including Johnstown Res and Hartford Reservoir, which were essential for sustaining the region's sugar beet and grain production.