1957 Map of Brushy Basin Wash

About this map

Comb Ridge bisects this mid-century landscape, a massive monocline that defines the transition between high mesas and the canyon floors of San Juan County. Surveyed during a period of uranium exploration and AEC involvement, the map documents a sparse but significant human presence. The Indian Village and isolated Perkins Ranch represent the modern inhabitants, while multiple Cliff Dwelling sites and Cliff Dwellings marked along the sandstone walls of Mule Canyon and Little Baullie Mesa record the ancient legacy of the area. A small Cemetery and a remote Landing Strip serve as markers of local infrastructure in the 1950s. The northern portion is dominated by the Manti La Sal National Forest, featuring landmarks like Mancos Jim Butte and the curiously named Hammond Cream Pots, illustrating the mix of ranching heritage and geologic curiosity in this corner of Utah.