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1962 Map of New Castle

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of New Castle
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

New Castle serves as the focal point of this river valley landscape, situated where the Colorado River cuts through the formidable geology of the Grand Hogback. The town’s historical reliance on the narrow corridor of the valley is evident in the path of the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad and the extensive irrigation systems, such as the Ware and Hinds Ditch and Lower Cactus Valley Ditch, which supported early agricultural development in this arid environment.

The map highlights the region's industrial and natural heritage, featuring the Grand Hogback Coal Ridge and the aptly named Burning Mountain. To the south, the topography rises sharply into the Castle State Wildlife Area, drained by Garfield Creek and Baldy Creek. This 1962 survey, with revisions into the early 1980s, captures a moment when traditional rail transportation and ranching infrastructure remained central to the character of Garfield County.