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1955 Map of Pearl

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Pearl
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Mining operations and ranching life define this mid-century survey of the high country near Pearl. The landscape is dominated by the industrial remnants of copper and silver exploration, notably the Mount Zirkel Mine, Wolverine Mine, and the Swede Group Mines. A Smelter Stack stands near the settlement of Pearl, indicating the processing infrastructure required for these remote operations.

Water management is central to the area's geography, evidenced by an extensive network of irrigation features like the Plainwell Ditch, Wheeler Ditch, and an Abandoned Aqueduct. These systems support a series of family-named holdings throughout the Routt National Forest, including the Wilford Ranch and Hayward Ranch. The terrain drops toward the North Fork North Platte River, while the prominent Big Creek Lakes provide a significant water source in the western reaches of the quadrangle.