1953 Map of Rawlins

About this map

The high plains landscape of Rawlins is dominated by the strategic intersection of the Union Pacific railroad and the burgeoning mid-century aviation infrastructure at Rawlins Municipal Airport. This 1953 survey, with updates reflecting the town's expansion into the 1980s, captures the community as it grew around the massive State Penitentiary and the residential corridors of Sunnyside. Educational and civic life are anchored by several local schools, including St Joseph Sch and Mountainview Sch, while the outskirts are marked by industrial activity like Quarries and Gravel Pits. The topography is defined by the drainage of Sugar Creek and Coal Creek, illustrating the town's reliance on these watercourses and the surrounding ridges. Extensive networks of pipelines crossing the territory highlight the importance of energy infrastructure in this part of Carbon County during the post-war era.