1906 Map of Bright Angel

About this map

The Colorado River carves a deep path through this landscape, flanked by the intricate landforms of the Hindu Amphitheater and the Ottoman Amphitheater. Surveyed at the turn of the century, the map reveals the early infrastructure of the park, including the Grand Canyon Railway terminus near the El Tovar Hotel. This era represents a significant period of early 20th-century tourism development, where the Bright Angel Trail provided access from the south rim down to Phantom Ranch. The naming conventions used for the geological formations, such as Shiva Temple, Cheops Pyramid, and Isis Temple, reflect the era's fascination with classical and Eastern architecture. Beyond the canyon walls, the Coconino Plateau and Kaibab Plateau provide a stark contrast to the verticality of the interior gorge, while the Grandview Automobile Road shows the very beginnings of motorized travel in the region.