1953 Map of Prowers

About this map

The Arkansas River corridor in Bent Co. serves as a critical historical artery, preserving the visible remains of westward expansion. This mid-century survey documents the vicinity of the Santa Fe Trail and its legacy, from the Old Fort Lyon (Ruins) to the site of Bents New Fort (Ruins) further east. The small settlement of Prowers sits near the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which parallels the river and an intricate network of irrigation systems including the Mc Clave Ditch and Fort Bent Canal. To the north and south, the terrain transitions into drainage systems like Graveyard Creek and Mud Creek, where local history is anchored by The Home Cemetery and High Cemetery. The landscape reflects a transition from the frontier era to a managed agricultural valley defined by water rights and rail transport.