1971 Map of Trinidad East

About this map

The Purgatoire River valley serves as the primary corridor for settlement and transit east of the regional hub of Trinidad. This landscape is defined by the transition from river-fed agriculture to the industrial history of the surrounding canyons. A dense network of irrigation works, including the Picketwire Ditch, Chili Ditch, and Johns Canal, supports the valley floor, while the upland terrain to the south is marked by the coal mining heritage of the Engleville Mine and Highline Mine. The convergence of the Colorado and Southern and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroads near El Moro highlights the area's importance as a transportation junction. Cultural landmarks such as the Ave Maria Shrine and the Mt San Rafael Hospital reflect the established community in this corner of Las Animas County during the early 1970s.