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1952 Map of Square S Ranch

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Square S Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Piceance Creek winds through this 1952 topographic study, defining the drainage patterns of a landscape marked by deep gulches and high bluffs in Rio Blanco County. The Square S Ranch serves as the primary named settlement, situated near the confluence of Cole Gulch and the main creek. This map captures the region after the 1948 aerial surveys, illustrating a ranching landscape reliant on isolated water sources like the Windmill in the western hills and a Spring located at the head of a nameless draw.

Local history is preserved at the Miller Hill Cem near the southern boundary, while topographical prominence is noted at the VABM 6794 Tower. The survey details an intricate network of named drainages, including Dudley Gulch, Ryan Gulch, and Hatch Gulch, which carved the rugged Dudley Bluffs. These features provide a clear view of the land use and natural boundaries before more modern developments altered the Colorado backcountry.