1784 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



east and south. Three-fourths of their area was for hay purposes, and 125 head of 

 cattle were near. 



Not far distant was passed a Mexican plaza of eight houses, and a mile beyond one 

 still larger of a dozen, with 900 acres of land under fence, of which about half gave 

 evidence of having produced fine crops of corn and wheat. The ranches continue 

 along the river bank for some distance, the road to Fort Garland crossing 7 miles from 

 town and continuing along the east bank ; that for Conejos leaves the river and passes 

 southeast and south. Sixteen miles distant is the Piedra Pintada, signifying the 

 Painted Stone, from the bright-colored peak whence the stream flows down. 



Along this stream (Camp 87), which sinks in marshy ground about 5 miles below 

 the road-crossing, 31 ranches were observed. 



Some 8 miles to the south of the Piedra Pintada the bed of Gata Creek was passed, 

 entirely dry, no water being met with (October 22) until the Alamosa was reached. 

 Along the road the vegetation is sparse, the soil being covered with fragments of 

 trachytic and other volcanic rock, largely rounded from watery action. In its passage 

 the arid desert region was less disagreeable than in July, from the absence of summer 

 heat, and no ranches were found en route until the Rio Alamosa was reached, the stream 

 signifying the river of the handsome poplars or cottonwoods, many of the latter fring- 

 ing the stream. Outside of cities of old Mexico, lines of grand old cottonwoods, watered 

 by running acequias or ditches, carrying the water supply of the place, afford a beauti- 

 fully shaded drive, which is always known as El Alamo, the word itself signifying a 

 poplar. 



The Gunnison, its tributary the Uncompahgre, and farther west the San Miguel, 

 all flowing west or northwest, draining extensive lands of the Upper San Juan, em- 

 brace within their limits large areas of magnificent agricultural land, lying, however, 

 within territory proscribed from settlement by the whites, being within the reserva- 

 tion of the Ute Indians. 



This region not being included in the area traversed, its agricultural extent and 

 resources are not known. In general, however, experience has demonstrated that the 

 ranchmau should avoid an elevation exceeding 8,000 feet. To this there may be ex- 

 ceptions of a local nature, as southern trends of slopes, sheltering mountains, pro- 

 tecting canon walls, or other advantageous situations. Fair crops of the hardy vege- 

 tables have been and may be frequently produced at a greater altitude, but in general 

 the attempted cultivation of the more tender cereals will be often fraught with disap- 

 pointment. 



CHAPTER III.— LINES OF COMMUNICATION. 

 Section I. — Railroads. 



Roads are the highways of civilization. Their construction is the first and essential 

 stage in the gradual development of any section. Without an easy outlet for its re- 

 sources, no country, however productive, can acquire that wealth and prosperity which 

 free and easy communication alone can furnish. This is particularly so in an inland 

 section and a mountainous region. The discovery of the precious metal is almost in- 

 variably made by one or more adventurous prospectors, whose outfit, of the most mod- 

 est nature, is generally borne upon " burros," or jackasses, capable of climbing over 

 difficult mountainous country. With the discovery of a fine mineral deposit, their log 

 cabin is established, becoming the nucleus of a mining-camp. The outlet and inlet 

 by a trail permitting pack-trains only with the advent of new-comers, an embryo 

 town appears, and well-watered lands en route are taken up for grazing and farming 

 purposes. 



With increasing signs of permanency and material wealth, the necessities for a 

 wagon-road become daily more evident, until it is finally furnished by some enter 

 prising capitalist, or a stock company, and the settlement is opened to the basis of 

 supply. 



From this dates permanent prosperity. Slow-moving pack-animals are succeeded 

 by more rapid freight-trains, with greater carrying facilities, high prices for commod- 

 ities of life and business are diminished, and the stage-coach appears upon the scene. 

 Easy access, well-rewarded labor, and profitable investments invite the laborer and 

 immigrant, as well as the speculator. The country increases in agricultural and min- 

 ing industry until, with the lapse of time, the railroad approaches and the frontier 

 settlement assumes a metropolitan air ; and on the march of civilization continues. 



The roads of San Juan are, therefore, of prime importance, and whatever can be 

 done to shorten the lines of communication and open as yet undeveloped sections will 

 be of the first and most material value. The lines of communication in Colorado are 

 of three kinds — railroads, wagon-roads, and trails — and in their relation to the de- 

 velopment of San Juan will be considered in the order named, the passage of a river, 

 whether by ferry or bridge, being included in the route upon which it lies. 



