1948 Map of Naturita NW

About this map

The Paradox Valley floor and the surrounding high ground of Monogram Mesa dominate this 1948 survey of the Colorado backcountry. This landscape is defined by its industrial and ranching utility, featuring the Thunderbolt Mine tucked into the slopes and isolated improvements like Corral No 2. The drainage network is complex, with the East Paradox Creek and the intricate channels of the Dry Fork cutting through the terrain. A clear administrative boundary marks the division between Montrose and San Miguel Counties, bisecting the southern portion of the sheet. Transportation is represented by functional primitive routes including a designated Truck Route and the Monogram Road, reflecting the era's focus on resource extraction and livestock management. This map records the region's topographical character before modern development altered the remote drainages around Spectacle Reservoir.