1955 Map of Red Rock Canyon

About this map

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument dominates this mid-century survey, showcasing the dramatic verticality of the Gunnison River gorge as it appeared in the 1950s. The map details the intricate topography of Red Rock Canyon and the Red Rocks formation, where the elevation drops sharply from the high rims of North Mesa and Flat Top toward the canyon floor. At the river's edge, the State Tunnel Dam stands as a focal point of water management, supported by a network of terrestrial features like the Ditch system in Bostwick Park. Local history is preserved through labels for the Mine (abandoned) and the Warner Point overlook. The proximity of Pleasant Park and Green Mountain to the Monument Boundary illustrates the tension between the preserved wilderness of the canyon and the agrarian landscape of the surrounding mesas.