1952 Map of Rifle

About this map

The town of Rifle serves as the focal point of this Garfield County study, situated where Rifle Creek meets the Colorado River. The landscape is defined by its dramatic shelf-like formations, including Hubbard Mesa, Prefontaine Mesa, and Taughenbaugh Mesa, which reflect the region’s complex geologic profile. A significant portion of the western territory is designated as the Naval Oil Shale Reserve, underscoring the era's strategic focus on energy resources. Industrial and agricultural lifelines are visible through the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad and an intricate network of irrigation channels like the Pioneer Ditch and Davie Ditch. Local community sites such as the Rifle Cem and the Rifle Creek Community Club provide touchpoints for genealogical research, while the north is marked by the Rifle Gap State Recreation Area and a Coal Mine (abandoned).