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1951 Map of Mount Big Chief

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Mount Big Chief
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

Camp Carson Military Reservation dominates the eastern foothills in this 1951 survey, reflecting the significant post-war military footprint in the region south of Colorado Springs. The map documents a landscape where active defense installations and hospital facilities like the Camp Carson Hospital sit adjacent to established recreational and youth retreats such as the Emerald Valley Boys Camp and Broadmoor Lodge. This overlap illustrates the dual nature of the Front Range as both a strategic military hub and a premier wilderness destination.

Away from the military boundaries, the terrain transitions into the Pike National Forest, characterized by numerous family-named ranching operations including Turkey Creek Ranch, Hitch Rack Ranch, and Earley Ranch. Local community life is anchored by landmarks like Lytle School and Red Creek School, while the topographical detail traces the drainage of Turkey Creek and Fountain Creek through the steep canyons and peaks like Mount Big Chief and Cheyenne Mountain.