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1955 Map of Owl Ridge

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Owl Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

Illinois Ranch and a network of named homesteads define the high-altitude ranching landscape of this Colorado territory during the mid-1950s. The map captures an intricate system of water management essential for high-country agriculture, featuring an extensive array of irrigation channels like the Midland Ditch, Everhard and Baldwin Ditch, and the Lowland Garden Eagle DITCH. These ditches divert water from the Illinois River and Owl Creek to support operations at the Overton, Burr, and Howard ranches.

Terrain is dominated by the prominent Owl Ridge and Owl Mountain, with surveyor markers like VABM 8942 Owl indicating the significant elevation of the region. Local infrastructure is sparse, characterized by Gravel Pits and the presence of State Highway 125, which connects the scattered mountain holdings. Water storage is critical to this environment, shown through features like Thirty-one Reservoir, Rand Reservoir, and Shawver Reservoir, illustrating the human effort required to sustain life and livestock in the North Park area.