1956 Map of Poncha Springs

About this map

Salida and the surrounding Arkansas River valley serve as the focal point of this mid-century survey, illustrating a landscape defined by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and the mining-adjacent economy. The valley floor is dotted with small communities and essential infrastructure, from the Salida Airport and a Drive-in Theater to the industrial presence of Smeltertown. Settled areas like Poncha Springs and Maysville sit at the gateway to the high peaks of the San Isabel National Forest, where the terrain rises sharply toward Mount Princeton and the striking Chalk Cliffs. The map details a network of rural education and recreation, including Valley View Sch and the Mt Princeton Hot Springs resort area. To the north, the corridor through Nathrop and Centerville follows the river, where irrigation ditches and gravel pits suggest a blend of agriculture and resource extraction typical of Chaffee County during this era.