1952 Map of Rifle

About this map

The town of Rifle serves as the focal point of this mid-century landscape, situated where the Colorado River meets Rifle Creek. The map documents a complex irrigation and industrial network, including the Vanadium Mill and a series of water features like the Pioneer Ditch and Grand Valley Canal that support the surrounding agricultural mesas. To the north, the geography is defined by the Grand Hogback and several designated oil reserves, specifically the Naval Oil Shale Reserve and the Oil Shale Reserve, reflecting the region's energy-resource history. Notable local landmarks like the Rifle Cemetery and Rifle Creek Community Club provide genealogical context, while the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad follows the river corridor through the valley. This era reveals a transition between established rail-based transport and the developing recreation areas near Rifle Gap.