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1893 Map of Platte Canyon

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Platte Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1927
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1927

About this map

Denver South Park and Pacific RR tracks follow the winding course of the North Fork of the South Platte river, illustrating the vital role of rail transport through the mountain corridors during the late nineteenth century. Small settlements such as Bailey, Pine Grove, and Buffalo serve as localized hubs along the line, providing a glimpse into the early developmental footprint within what would become the Pike National Forest.

The landscape is defined by its numerous summits, including Thunder Butte, Bison Peak, and Long Scraggy Peak, which are meticulously documented by topographer Willard D. Johnson. In the eastern portion of the sheet, the Denver & Rio Grande RR skirts the edge of the mountains near Plum Creek, while landmarks like Manitou Park and Wellington Lake indicate early recreational or land-management interest in this high-altitude terrain. The presence of Devils Head and the Tarryall Mts highlights the complex topography that early geographers and railroad engineers had to navigate.