1906 Map of Bright Angel

About this map

The Colorado River carves through the heart of the Granite Gorge in this detailed survey, which documents the early twentieth-century development of tourism and transit at the canyon’s south rim. The terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway is clearly visible near the El Tovar Hotel, marking the era when rail travel first made this terrain accessible to the broader public. While the Kaibab Plateau remains largely wilderness to the north, the south rim shows a network of established paths for exploration, including the Bright Angel Trail and Hermit Trail. Notable landmarks such as the Powell Memorial and Indian Garden illustrate the early efforts to memorialize the canyon's exploration. Geologist François E. Matthes's work captures the sheer verticality of features like the Shiva Temple and Cheops Pyramid, while the inclusion of Rowes Well and Hermit Camp provides insight into the water sources and outposts essential for early desert travel.