1954 Map of Ordway

About this map

Ordway and Crowley anchor this agricultural landscape in the mid-1950s, revealing a complex network of irrigation that defines life in this corner of Colorado. The map traces the essential water management systems that draw from the Arkansas River, which flows along the southern edge of the survey. The intricate grid of canals and ditches surrounding these towns highlights the area's transition from open prairie to a productive farming district. To the southeast, the Lake Meredith Reservoir Outlet and the wandering path of Bob Creek further illustrate the region's reliance on managed water resources. This survey captures the small-town layout and infrastructure of Crowley County at a time when the railroad and irrigation systems were the primary drivers of local development and economic stability.