1971 Map of Burntwater Wash

About this map

Burntwater Trading Post serves as a central hub in this high-desert landscape within the Navajo Indian Reservation during the early 1970s. The arid terrain is defined by the seasonal drainage systems of Burntwater Wash and Querino Wash, which flow toward the Puerco River in the southeastern corner. This survey documents the infrastructure of the era, from the critical water sources like Murphy Well and Broken Home Well to the industrial presence of a Sandpit and Borrow Pit. The presence of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Grade cutting across the southern boundary illustrates the historical importance of rail transit through the Apache County corridor. Further remote features, including John Silver Spr Well and the natural formation of Box Canyon, highlight a land where water accessibility dictated movement and settlement patterns.