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1955 Map of Telluride

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Telluride
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The high alpine mining basins of the San Juan Mountains dominate this mid-century survey, centered on the historic district of Telluride. At this time, the industrial legacy of the Silver San Juan is visible in the dense network of claims and infrastructure, including the Smuggler Mine, Liberty Bell Mine, and the Tomboy ruins. The map traces the winding route of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad as it follows the San Miguel River through narrow canyons and up to high-elevation junctions like Vance Junction.

Beyond the valley floor, the landscape transitions into the steep terrain of the Uncompahgre National Forest and San Juan National Forest. Small settlements and industrial points such as Pandora, Saw Pit, and the Coke Oven are clearly marked, alongside essential social landmarks like the Wilson Mesa Sch. High mountain passes, including Ophir Pass and Blue Lake Pass, connect these remote basins, which were once the center of intense gold and silver extraction.