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1956 Map of Lake George

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Lake George
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The South Platte River carves through the landscape of the Pike National Forest, defining a region shaped by high-altitude ranching and early mountain transit. During the mid-1950s, the communities of Lake George and Florissant served as vital hubs along the valley floor, linked by an Old Railroad Grade that traces the historical path of the Colorado Midland Railway. This corridor, winding past Beaver Ponds and through the South Platte Canyon, highlights the transition from rail to road-based transport.

Legacy ranching operations, including the Bantleon Ranch, Crystal Peak Ranch, and Big Spring Ranch, are scattered across the terrain near the Park and Teller County line. The map also captures important cultural landmarks like Camp Alexander and the Petrified Forest Area, reflecting the area's dual character as a working landscape and a destination for early 20th-century conservation and recreation.