1959 Map of Royal Gorge

About this map

The Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River and the famous Royal Gorge dominate this landscape, illustrating a period where tourism and heavy infrastructure converged in the high country. The Denver & Rio Grande Western RR follows the river's path, supported by the Parkdale Siding, while a Miniature RR serves the immediate park area. Beyond the canyon walls, the map documents the transition from early mining and ranching to institutional land use, including the State Penitentiary and the YMCA Mountain. Genealogists and local historians can locate specific homesteads and former settlements such as Griffin Ranch, Payne Ranch, and the Yorkville site. The complex drainage system, defined by dozens of named gulches like Copper Gulch and Sawmill Gulch, reveals how the terrain dictated the layout of Sunset City and the access routes into the San Isabel National Forest.