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1956 Map of Rand

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Rand
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Illinois River and its numerous tributaries, including Willow Creek and Sutton Creek, anchor this high-country landscape in North Park. The settlement of Rand serves as the primary hub, evidenced by the Rand Sch and Rand Cem located along the valley floor. The map documents a well-established ranching economy during the mid-1950s, with several family-named operations such as Howard Ranch, Fuqua Ranch, and the Stephens Brothers Ranch scattered across the basin.

A notable detail is the Racetrack (Aband) near the Old Homestead, indicating earlier social or recreational uses of the land that had faded by the time of this survey. The terrain transitions from the open river valleys into the rising timber of the Routt National Forest, where the topography becomes more complex near Green Ridge. Routes like the Lost Trail and Arapaho Creek Trail provide access into the steeper elevations, while irrigation features like the Peabody Ditch reflect the ongoing management of water in this semi-arid ranching environment.