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1942 Map of Soldier Summit

Name: 1942 Topographic Map of Soldier Summit
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1942
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1942

About this map

The Colorado River Great Basin Watershed Divide cuts through this high-altitude landscape, defining the hydrology of a region where transport and topography are inextricably linked. The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad tracks follow the winding path of Soldier Creek, passing through key freight and helper stations like Soldier Summit and Gilluly. This corridor served as a critical mountain pass, connecting the coal-rich regions of Carbon County to the north.

Industrial and agricultural activity is scattered throughout the valleys, with Pondtown Mine located near Bear Ridge and several family-owned sites like Daniels Ranch and Coddington Ranch situated along the rail line. To the south, the Pleasant Valley Reservoir collects the headwaters of the Price River, while the boundaries of the Uinta National Forest and Manti National Forest mark the transition into protected alpine wilderness. The map captures a moment when small rail-side settlements like Colton and Tucker remained vital hubs for both natural resource extraction and the transcontinental rail network.