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1955 Map of Skyway

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Skyway
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

High-altitude water management and wilderness settlement define this 1955 portrait of the Grand Mesa region along the border of Mesa and Delta counties. The landscape is characterized by a dense network of reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure, including the City Ditch and numerous small impoundments such as Pine Park Reservoir No 1 and the Granby Reservoirs. These systems supported the agricultural operations represented by the Bull Creek Cow Camp and the Hallenbeck Cow Camp, reflecting the long-standing cattle grazing heritage of the plateau.

Outdoor recreation and early forest administration are centered at Mesa Lakes, where the Mesa Lakes Ranger Station and Jumbo Reservoir Campground sit along the winding Skyway. Evidence of early homesteading appears at the Beaver Homestead (Aband) near the Forest Boundary. The map also traces significant routes like the Lands End Road, which provided access to prominent overlooks like Skyway Point and the steep terrain of The Breaks.