1953 Map of Prowers

About this map

Bents New Fort (Ruins) and the Old Santa Fe Trail define the cultural history of this reach of the Arkansas River in Bent County. The map documents a landscape where 19th-century frontier transit routes intersect with mid-20th-century irrigation and rail infrastructure. Along the river, the Big Timbers area serves as a focal point for local history, featuring an Historical Marker and several burial sites including The Home Cemetery and a simple Graveyard. The economy of the era is evident in the complex network of water management features like the Keesee Canal, Fort Bent Canal, and Sunflower Ditch, which supported agricultural development near the small settlement of Prowers. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad tracks run parallel to the old trail, illustrating the transition from wagon ruts to iron rails through the high plains.