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1893 Map of Two Butte

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Two Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1893
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1893

About this map

The Santa Fe Trail cuts across the High Plains of southeastern Colorado, serving as a primary artery through the rolling terrain of Bent, Prowers, and Baca counties. This 1890s survey documents a landscape of early cattle ranching and scattered settlements just before the transition to more intensive dryland farming. The prominent landmark of Two Buttes dominates the eastern horizon, providing a vital navigational point for travelers and early homesteaders alike.

Water sources define the settlement pattern, with small outposts and ranches clustered near vital drainages like Two Butte Creek and Horse Creek. Isolated locations such as Clay Creek Spring and Longshore Ranch reflect the essential nature of water rights in this arid region. For the genealogist or historian, the map preserves short-lived town sites like Brookfield, Atlanta, and Mulvane, many of which were founded on the promise of western expansion.