1893 Map of Abajo

About this map

Bluff City stands as the primary settlement on this 1890s reconnaissance, established along the banks of the San Juan River in southeastern Utah. The map documents a rugged landscape defined by massive relief, where the Abajo Mts rise to prominent summits at Mt Linnaeus and Abajo Peak. To the north, the historic Old Spanish Trail traverses the high country, while the southern boundary is marked by the Navajo Indian Res. Line. The drainage patterns here are distinct, with numerous seasonal watercourses like Montezuma Creek, Recapture Creek, and Comb Wash cutting deep into the desert floor. This survey, conducted by Henry Gannett and the Hayden Surveys, provides an early look at the territorial geography before the widespread development of the Four Corners region, capturing the intricate topography of Chin Lee Valley and the prominent Orejas del Oso ridges.