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1955 Map of Westcliffe

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Westcliffe
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Wet Mountain Valley serves as the backdrop for this mid-century look at the adjacent mining and ranching hubs of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff. The landscape is defined by its industrial history, prominently featuring the Old Railroad Grade and numerous extraction sites like the Bull Domingo Mine and the Defender Mine (Active). The inclusion of the Fairground and Courthouse in Westcliffe points to its role as the administrative and social center of Custer County during this era.

Water management is central to the area's development, anchored by the De Weese Reservoir and its associated Lake De Weese Lodge. The complex topography of the Bull Domingo Hills and White Hills is dissected by several drainages, including Grape Creek and Fourmile Gulch. This map also documents local infrastructure such as the Valley Airstrip and Hermit Road, which facilitated movement across the high-altitude terrain.