1952 Map of Kings Canyon

About this map

Village Belle Mine and the Kings Canyon Mine sit at the heart of this 1952 topographic study, marking an era of industrial transition in North Park. The landscape is defined by the steep drainage systems of the Medicine Bow Range, where waters flow from high ridges into Pinkham Creek and Kings Canyon Creek. Small clusters of human activity are centered around the Union Pacific rail corridor, featuring the settlements of Camp Nelson, Clayton Park, and Bluebird Park. The survey meticulously details the intersection of three different national forests — the Routt, Medicine Bow, and Roosevelt — and the state line where Colorado meets Wyoming. Mineral extraction history is visible in the form of multiple abandoned mine shafts and inactive operations, illustrating the waning days of earlier mining booms.