1957 Map of Pagosa Junction

About this map

Pagosa Junction (Gato) serves as a primary rail point along the Denver & Rio Grande Western RR in this mid-century survey of the Colorado-New Mexico borderlands. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the San Juan River and the Navajo River, which converge near the settlement of Juanita. Much of the northern terrain is occupied by the San Juan National Forest, while the southern portion falls within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Geological landmarks such as the Stollsteimer Dyke and Broken Off Point rise above a network of deep canyons, including Kearns Canyon and Valle Canyon. Small settlements like Trujillo and Villareal are connected by a system of primitive roads and jeep trails, reflecting the isolated ranching and rail-dependent economy of Archuleta County during the 1950s.