1956 Map of Rand

About this map

Rand serves as the central hub of this North Park landscape, where the Illinois River meanders through a valley defined by an extensive network of irrigation infrastructure. This mid-century survey illustrates the vital role of water management in Colorado's high-country ranching economy, documenting numerous named ditches such as Illinois Ditch, Willow Ditch, and Stevenson Ditch that feed local holdings. Family legacies are etched into the terrain through sites like Howard Ranch, Fuqua Ranch, and the Stephens Brothers Ranch. The small settlement of Rand is anchored by the Rand Sch and the Rand Cem, while the southern reaches of the quadrangle transition into the timbered slopes of Green Ridge within the Routt National Forest. Researchers can find evidence of early habitation at the Old Homestead and trace the seasonal flow of high-altitude waterways like Badgero Creek and Mc Kinnon Creek.