1891 Map of Leadville

About this map

Leadville stands as the center of a dense industrial landscape during Colorado's silver mining peak, surrounded by high-altitude claims and supporting settlements. The map illustrates the complex rail network required to service these mines, including the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and the Colorado Midland Railroad. Notable mining centers like Carbonate Hill, Iron Hill, and Fryer Hill cluster near the town of Oro, while high-country outposts like Kokomo and Robinson follow the northern rail lines. Beyond the industrial zones, the survey covers the massive peaks of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, including Mount Massive and Mt Elbert. The presence of resorts like Interlaken near Twin Lakes indicates the early development of mountain recreation alongside the extraction economy. This 19th-century survey provides a precise look at the geography before the modern reconfiguration of the landscape.