1960 Map of Anderson Mesa

About this map

The Dolores River carves a dramatic serpentine path through this 1960 survey of the Colorado plateau, defining the border between Montrose and San Miguel Counties. The landscape is dominated by high, flat-topped features like Anderson Mesa and Wray Mesa, separated by deep drainage systems such as Coyote Wash and Gypsum Valley. This era of the mid-20th century shows the area as an active mining district, with several small-scale operations including The Raven Mine, Morning Star Mine, and American Eagle Mine clustered around Silveys Pocket. These mines, alongside the Gyp Mine in the southern valley, point to the region's mineral-rich geology and the remote industrial life of the period. Isolated water sources like Skein Spring and Cabin Spring provide the necessary resources for survival in this high-desert environment, while a lone Airstrip suggests the reliance on light aircraft for accessing these distant mesa-top locations.