1961 Map of Strasburg SW

About this map

The Lowry Air Force Base Bombing Range dominates the northwestern portion of this landscape, reflecting the mid-century military footprint in the high plains of eastern Colorado. This transition zone between Arapahoe and Elbert counties is defined by the ephemeral drainage patterns of Kiowa Creek and Wolf Creek, which carve winding paths through the undulating terrain. While largely open land in the late 1950s, a lone Gravel Pit indicates early local resource extraction. The map captures a moment when the rural character of the area was heavily influenced by federal defense operations, providing a clear record of the large-scale land use required for aerial training missions during the Cold War era.