1952 Map of Bluff 3 SW

About this map

Navajo Indian Reservation lands dominate this mid-century survey of San Juan County, revealing a landscape defined by seasonal watercourses and limited transportation routes. The geography is carved by the deep drainages of Hilkito Wash and Eagle Rock Wash, while Gypsum Creek winds through the southeastern portion of the quadrangle. A remote network of infrastructure is evident in the presence of a lone Jeep Trail and the evocatively named Stage Coach Wash, suggesting the historic transit patterns of the Four Corners region before modern highway development. This preliminary edition, based on 1951 aerial photography, captures the intricate topography of the high desert plateau with high-resolution contour work, documenting the natural drainage patterns that have dictated movement through this territory for generations.