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This striking geological map, drawn from the surveys conducted in 1874, 1875, and 1876 under the direction of Ferdinand V. Hayden, presents a sweeping view of western Colorado and the adjoining portion of Utah at a scale of four miles to the inch. Published in Hayden’s Geological and Geographical Atlas of Colorado and Portions of Adjacent Territory (1877), it represents one of the earliest systematic geological renderings of the region, a landmark effort in the federal exploration of the American West during the postbellum scientific era.
The map is lithographed in color by Julius Bien & Co. of New York, whose technical skill in chromolithography was unrivaled in the period. Each formation is coded with distinct tones and textures, from the ancient Archean crystalline cores of the San Juan Mountains to the more recent Quaternary alluvial plains of the Great Sage Plain. The careful stratigraphic layering charts the full geological succession, incorporating sedimentary, metamorphic, and eruptive rock systems and capturing both the complexity and grandeur of the region’s terrain. Contour lines, drawn at 200-foot vertical intervals, trace the folds and elevations with a sculptural sensitivity that evokes the rugged landforms of the Uncompahgre, La Plata, and San Miguel ranges.
The mineral legend identifies the presence of placer, silver-bearing, and gold-bearing areas, underscoring the dual purpose of the survey as both a scientific and economic enterprise. Features such as thermal springs and intrusive dykes are noted.
States
A second state was published for the 1881 edition, which shows the proposed extension of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and adds a few towns, including Dallasville, Portland, and Ruby City.
Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden, known to the Sioux as "man-who-picks-up-stones-running," stands among the pantheon of eminent geologists of the 19th century.
Hayden's academic career commenced at Oberlin College, and he furthered his education at Albany Medical College, where he received his M.D. in 1853. Despite his medical training, Hayden was primarily engaged in geology, a field to which he would dedicate his life's work.
Hayden commenced his geological career with a survey in the Nebraska Territory in 1856. In 1859 and 1860, he conducted further exploratory work in the Rocky Mountains, particularly in Colorado, which was then part of the Nebraska and Kansas territories. His early work in the field earned him the respect of Native American tribes, with the Sioux reportedly dubbing him "man-who-picks-up-stones-running" due to his avid and energetic collection of geological samples during his expeditions.
By the 1860s, Hayden had risen to prominence as a geologist and was appointed the United States Geologist for the Geological Survey of the Territories. This role would define his career, leading numerous surveys in the Western United States. Notably, from 1871 to 1872, Hayden led a survey into the region that would become Yellowstone National Park, and his reports significantly contributed to the establishment of Yellowstone as the first National Park in 1872.
Hayden's most significant contribution to geological literature was the Geological Atlas of Colorado, published in 1877. This work was the result of comprehensive surveys conducted across Colorado, meticulously documenting the state's geography and geology. The atlas offered detailed maps on a scale previously unseen, encompassing not only Colorado but adjacent areas, including parts of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Hayden's influence extended to academia, as he was affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania for a period, where he held the position of professor of geology. His academic and field work combined to form a substantial body of knowledge that would be used by future scholars and explorers.
Ferdinand V. Hayden passed away on December 22, 1887, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His enduring legacy is reflected in the numerous natural features named after him, including Hayden Valley in Yellowstone and Mount Hayden in Colorado. His contributions to geology during the 19th century remain a cornerstone of American geological and geographical sciences.
![[ Denver Panorama ] Panoramic View of Over 200 Miles of the Rocky Mountain Range Distinctly Seen from Denver with the Naked Eye; also the Principal Business Portion of Denver](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/88876.jpg)
