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1955 Map of Lazear

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Lazear
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

Rogers Mesa serves as a central hub of agricultural activity in this 1955 survey of Delta County, where intricate irrigation systems like the Fire Mountain Canal and Durkee Ditch traverse the landscape. The settlement of Lazear is anchored by the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, which follows the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The geography is defined by a series of prominent benches including Redlands Mesa, Shamrock Mesa, and Oak Mesa, which are separated by deep drainages like Stingley Gulch and Leroux Creek.

Social and industrial life in the mid-century is evidenced by the Rogers Mesa Community House, the West Redlands Sch, and even a Drive-in Theater. To the south, the terrain drops dramatically into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, marking a stark transition from the mesa-top orchards and farms to the depths of the river corridor near Cedar Flats. Local industry ranges from the Sulphur Mine to the Rainbow Run Trout Farm, reflecting the diverse uses of the land during this period.