1963 Map of Wetmore

About this map

The settlement of Wetmore stands as the primary hub in this transition zone between the plains and the uplift of the San Isabel National Forest. This 1963 field-checked survey reveals a landscape defined by the complex drainage systems of Hardscrabble Creek and its many branches, including North Hardscrabble Creek and South Hardscrabble Creek. The era's land use is visible in the mix of ranching and early recreational development, with the Don K Ranch and the Florence Picnic Area established near the forest boundaries. High-country access is documented through named routes like the Highline Trail and Rudolph Mtn Trail, which navigate a terrain marked by distinctive geological features such as Bears Head, Little Red Butte, and Big Red Butte. This map captures the rural character of the Custer and Pueblo County border before modern expansion, preserving the locations of a Mine and Gravel Pit that speak to the local extraction economy.