1952 Map of Rio Blanco

About this map

Rio Blanco sits at the junction of Thirteenmile Creek and Piceance Creek, serving as a focal point for this rugged section of the Western Slope in the early 1950s. The landscape is dominated by the massive geological formations of the Grand Hogback and the Book Cliffs, which define the region's sharp elevation changes. The presence of the Naval Oil Shale Reserve across the southern half of the map signals the area's strategic industrial importance during the mid-century energy boom. Local life is anchored by the Rio Blanco School and an Rio Blanco Mine (Inactive), while a high-altitude Ski Tow near Government Road points to early recreational use of the high ridges. Surveyed just before major modern developments, this map traces the winding paths of Bear Creek and Cow Creek through deep canyons that remain largely unchanged.