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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

Agricultural development in the Colorado plains is clearly defined on this mid-century survey, centered on the town of Johnstown. The landscape is etched by an intricate network of irrigation channels, including the Great Western Ditch, Handy Ditch, and Farmers Extension Ditch, which support the sugar beet and grain production vital to the regional economy. The Great Western railroad provides the industrial spine of the area, connecting settlements like Buda, Pulliam, and Bunyan to the larger markets.

Rural life is anchored by local landmarks such as Twin Mounds School, Erkenbeck Sch, and the Elwell Cem. The transition from mid-century topography to the late 1960s is captured through purple revisions, showing growth in the town center and shifts along the Big Thompson River and Little Thompson River. From the Walker Elevator to the various reservoirs like Hillsboro Res, the map documents a community deeply tied to its water rights and rail access.