Loading map...

1956 Map of Sulphur Mountain

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Sulphur Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The South Platte River and its Middle Fork dominate this mid-century landscape in South Park, where the valley floor is defined by a complex network of irrigation systems including the Western Grade Ditch, Central Ditch, and Fritz Ditch. These waterways supported established family operations like the Buckley Ranch, Spinney Ranch, and Harrington Ranch, reflecting the era's ranching economy before the downstream reservoirs altered the hydrological character of the basin.

Upland from the river, the terrain rises toward Sulphur Mountain and the eastern boundary of the Pike National Forest. The map documents the presence of the Colorado & Southern RR and the Pike-San Isabel Village settlement, while smaller features like Chalcedony Spring and Sawdust Gulch provide specific landmarks for local history researchers. The inclusion of an Oil Well and a Gravel Pit indicates the diverse natural resource extraction occurring alongside traditional agricultural land use.