1951 Map of Trinidad

About this map

Trinidad serves as the industrial and transport hub of this Las Animas County landscape, where the Purgatoire River valley (also labeled the Picketwire) dictates the placement of towns and transit. The map documents an intensive mining history, with dozens of inactive sites like the Peacock Coal Mine, Main Cokedale Mine (inactive), and the Starkville Mine (inactive) dotting the canyons. The coal-driven economy of the early 20th century is etched into the landscape through company-related settlements like Cokedale, Sopris, and Starkville. Within the city, landmarks such as Trinidad State Jr College, St Josephs Church, and the distinctive Simpsons Rest overlook a dense rail network. The dual presence of the Colorado and Southern and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroads through the river valley underscores the area's significance as a major Southwestern shipping corridor.