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1939 Map of Mount Elbert

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Mount Elbert
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

Leadville and its surrounding mining districts dominate this late 1930s survey, illustrating the complex infrastructure of the Upper Arkansas River valley. The map reveals a landscape defined by industry and water management, featuring the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad winding through settlements like Malta, Snowden, and Kobe. The massive Twin Lakes Reservoir serves as a central hydrological landmark, while the Carlton Tunnel and the Columbine Mine underscore the region's long-standing reliance on resource extraction.

Local life is visible in the placement of the Soda Springs Sch and the Hayden Sch, alongside the agricultural presence of the Hayden Ranch. High-altitude terrain is meticulously detailed, from the heights of Mt Elbert and Mt Massive to the isolated Pullman Camp. The inclusion of the U S Fish Hatchery and the Mt Massive Trout Club highlights the early development of specialized recreation and conservation efforts in the Holy Cross National Forest.