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1956 Map of Poncha Springs

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Poncha Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Arkansas River water rights and mountain topography define this mid-century survey of the Chaffee County corridor. The valley floor is marked by the infrastructure of early settlement and industry, notably the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad winding through Browns Canon toward Salida. Local civic life is concentrated in small nodes like Centerville, which includes the Centerville Ch, Centerville Sch, and a nearby Centerville Cem, reflecting the clustered nature of agricultural and ranching communities in the shadow of the San Isabel National Forest.

High-altitude landmarks such as Mt Princeton and Shavano Peak overlook a landscape of deep gulches and creek beds. Near the river, industrial activity is visible at Smeltertown and the Hydroelectric Plant, while transportation needs are served by the Salida Airport and various Jeep Trails penetrating the higher elevations. The presence of numerous Gravel Pits and a Lucky Mine indicates the persistent small-scale extraction characteristic of this mineral-rich region.