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1950 Map of Milliken

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Milliken
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Irrigated agriculture and a dense rail network define this Weld County landscape, where the Big Thompson River and Little Thompson River converge before joining the South Platte River. The map reveals a complex system of water management essential to the region's development, featuring numerous irrigation works such as the Godfrey Ditch, Mutual Ditch, and Farmers Ditch. Small agrarian settlements like Milliken and Gilcrest serve as focal points for the surrounding farmsteads, while vanished or smaller sidings like Adna, Dent, and Peekham reflect the historical importance of the Union Pacific and Great Western railroads.

Historical landmarks include the Fort St Vrain (Ruins), situated near the river confluence, providing a tangible link to early frontier history. Educational life is represented by rural institutions like Fairview School and Daniels Sch, while the presence of Spomer Lakes and Kammerzell Lake punctuates the northern terrain. The layout of these ditches and rail lines illustrates the intensive engineering required to transform this high plains environment into a productive sugar beet and grain-producing corridor.