1968 Map of Axehandle Butte

About this map

Ashwood serves as the primary point of settlement in this Jefferson County landscape, where the high desert terrain is defined by volcanic features and an intricate network of intermittent springs. The map documents a rugged interior geography marked by prominent elevations like Axehandle Butte and Thompson Peak, alongside specialized landmarks such as the Axehandle Mine and a Borrow Pit near the northern boundary. Water management is central to this environment, evidenced by the numerous named sources like Axehandle Spring and the Gaging Station located along Trout Creek. Local ranching activity is anchored by the Norton Ranch in the southeast, situated near the confluence of Amity Creek and Gooseberry Creek. The abundance of jeep trails and survey marks reflects the area's mid-century character as a working landscape of mineral exploration and livestock grazing.