1962 Map of North Delta

About this map

The Gunnison River and Uncompahgre R converge in this 1960s survey of Delta County, where the valley floor meets the rising elevations of the Colorado high desert. The small community of North Delta and the stop at Saunders sit along the corridor of the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, supported by an intricate network of irrigation including the North Delta Canal, Hartland Ditch, and Bona Fide Ditch. The landscape is dominated by massive flat-topped formations such as Negro Mesa, Beebe Mesa, and Doctor Mesa, which are carved by drainages like Doughspoon Creek. Local landmarks including Blake Field and the Memory Gardens Cemetery reflect the mid-century development of the area, while the northern reaches touch the Grand Mesa Nat For. Cultural features like the Bethel Ch and a Drive-in Theater emphasize the local social geography at the time of the field check.