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1908 Map of La Plata

Name: 1908 Topographic Map of La Plata
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1937
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1937

About this map

The Rio Grande Southern R. R. carves through the southern reaches of the La Plata Mountains, providing a vital link for the mining operations and ranching outposts that defined this region at the turn of the century. Settlements like Hesperus and Parrott are depicted as focal points of activity, while Menefee Ranch and Thompson Park indicate the agricultural life established in the lower valleys.

High-altitude mining is evident through features such as the Cumberland Mill, the Columbus Mine, and the Little Kate Mill perched near the peaks. The landscape is a complex network of steep drainages, including the West Mancos River and La Plata River, which shaped the early paths for prospectors and settlers. Notable summits like Hesperus Peak and Parrott Peak anchor the topography, while the Ute Coal Mine near Ute Junction highlights the diversified mineral extraction of the era.