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1886 Map of Canyon

Name: 1886 Topographic Map of Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1886
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1886

About this map

The Yellowstone River carves a dramatic path through this 1880s survey, anchoring a landscape of active geothermal and geological phenomena. The map documents the Grand Cañon in its early years of federal protection, noting precise measurements for the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. Settlement is sparse, represented primarily by the lone label for Yanceys in the north and the strategic Baronette Bridge crossing the river nearby.

Thermal activity is mapped with significant detail, from the Mud Geysers in the Hayden Valley to the steam-laden clusters of Ink Pot Hot Springs and The Mudkettles. The topography, surveyed by Frank Tweedy, captures the high-elevation wilderness of the Absaroka Range and the Mirror Plateau. Noted landmarks such as the Fossil Forest on Specimen Ridge and the Natural Bridge near the lake shore illustrate the area's unique character before the development of modern park infrastructure.