1953 Map of Proctor

About this map

The South Platte River carves through the landscape of northeastern Colorado, anchoring a complex system of irrigation essential to the high plains. In this mid-century survey, the tiny settlement of Proctor sits along the Union Pacific railroad line, serving as a hub for the surrounding ranching and agricultural interests. The map reveals an intricate network of water management, including the North Sterling Outlet Levee and various man-made channels like the Harmony No 2 Ditch and Powell Ditch. These features reflect the era's intensive efforts by the Department of the Interior to develop the Missouri River Basin. To the south of the river, the Colorado Game and Fish Reserve provides a protected area amid the varied terrain of the Iliff Valley, while numerous windmills and gravel pits dot the draws and canyons, marking the human footprint on this semi-arid terrain.