1967 Map of Ridgway

About this map

Ridgway serves as the focal point for this late-1960s survey, situated at the confluence of the Uncompahgre River and Dallas Creek. The landscape is defined by the sharp transition from the irrigated ranch lands of Pleasant Valley to the massive, flat-topped Log Hill Mesa and Burnt Mill Mesa. The transportation infrastructure of the era is clearly marked by the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad corridor, which follows the river valley northward, while an Old RR Grade hints at the evolving rail network of southwestern Colorado. Water management is a primary feature of the local economy, shown through the intricate paths of the Dallas Ditch, the Elephant Reservoir, and the City Res. Small-scale details for the local historian include the Dallas Park Cem and several high-altitude springs like Montgomery Spring and McKean Spring that supported the area's grazing and mining operations.