Loading map...

1904 Map of Ouray

Name: 1904 Topographic Map of Ouray
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1938
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1938

About this map

Ouray sits deep in a dramatic high-altitude basin, where the Uncompahgre River meets a network of steep mountain drainages including Canyon Creek and Oak Creek. This early 20th-century landscape is defined by the heavy infrastructure of the Denver and Rio Grande RR, which follows the river valley north through Portland and Dallas. The mapping of the Uncompahgre National Forest reveals a region shaped by complex geology, from the sheer walls of The Amphitheater to the high alpine plateau of American Flat.

Remote settlements and junctions like Bachelor Switch highlight the area's history as a transportation and mining hub. The survey captures the intricate trail and rail network required to navigate this portion of the San Juan Mountains, with prominent summits such as Wetterhorn Peak, Coxcomb Peak, and Whitehouse Mtn. serving as dominant landmarks. Dozens of tributaries, including Cow Creek and Owl Creek, feed into the river system, illustrating the watershed's importance to the valley floor.