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1955 Map of Olathe

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Olathe
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Uncompahgre River defines the heart of this valley, where an intricate network of irrigation projects like the East Canal and Selig Canal transform the arid Colorado landscape. The town of Olathe serves as the primary hub, showing a concentrated street grid bounded by its City Bdy and positioned along the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad. This 1950s record captures a community rooted in its rural school system, with local landmarks like Frost Sch, Menoken Sch, and Coal Creek Sch spread across the surrounding mesas.

Transportation and infrastructure are prominent, from the active rail line to the Montrose County Airport in the south. The terrain is a series of elevated plateaus, including High Mesa and North Mesa, carved by seasonal drainages such as Loutzenhizer Arroyo and Mexican Gulch. Local history is preserved in sites like the Olathe Cem and the North Mesa Community Hall, while an Oil Well and Gravel Pit suggest the mid-century industrial interests of the area.