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1956 Map of Montrose

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Montrose
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Uncompahgre Plateau and the high basins of the Gunnison River dominate this 1950s landscape, captured just as major water reclamation projects were transforming the region's geography. The map reveals the early footprint of the Blue Mesa Reservoir and Taylor Park Reservoir, critical components for managing the high-altitude runoff that feeds the Colorado River system. Settlement patterns follow the river valleys and the winding route of the Denver & Rio Grande Western RR, which connects mountain outposts like Tincup and St Elmo to the agricultural hubs of Montrose and Delta.

High-altitude peaks like Mt Sneffels and Whitehouse Mountain anchor the southern San Juan range, while the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument showcases the dramatic topography of the river's path. From the ranching grounds of Big Park to the mining history of Lake City and Ouray, the map documents an era of transition where traditional mountain industries met modern water management and the expansion of the Gunnison National Forest.