1945 Map of Mt. Gunnison

About this map

The North Fork Gunnison River carves a deep valley through this mid-century Western Slope landscape, serving as the primary corridor for settlement and transport. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the small communities of Somerset, Oliver, and Bardine anchored the riverbanks, supporting the regional mining and ranching economy. The map details a rugged transition from these valley floors up to the high plateaus of Snowshoe Mesa and Coal Creek Mesa, where seasonal livestock operations are evidenced by the Minnesota Cow Camp and Cow Camp.