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1951 Map of Merino SW

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Merino SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The South Platte River corridor defines the landscape of the Colorado high plains in this 1951 survey, as it winds through the northwest corner of the quadrangle. This riparian zone, protected in part by a State Wildlife Area, provides a distinct contrast to the surrounding terrain where the topography is marked by the Long Slough and Emerson Lake. The map details the transition from the river valley to the higher ground of Hillrose, illustrating the reliance on water management in this arid region.

Evidence of early rural infrastructure is found at the Highland School, a vital community marker for genealogists and local historians. The presence of numerous Windmills and Wells scattered across the landscape highlights the importance of groundwater for the homesteads and agricultural operations that dotted the boundary between Morgan Co and Washington Co. Subsequent updates show the arrival of modern transportation infrastructure, most notably Interchange 95, reflecting the area's mid-century development.