1955 Map of Carlisle 3 SE

About this map

Chesler Park and the striking geological forms of The Needles dominate this mid-century topographic record of San Juan County. Based on 1953 aerial photography, the map reveals a landscape defined by complex erosion and deep drainage systems, notably the winding path of Butler Wash and the headwaters of Salt Creek. The survey captures the area in a raw, transitional mapping phase as a preliminary edition, showing the intricate contour work required to document the high-desert plateaus and basins before later development or formal designations. In the southwestern corner, Beef Basin appears as a distinct topographic depression, while various unnamed branches of Creek and Fork illustrate the labyrinthine network of seasonal waterways that shaped the local travel routes and grazing potential of the era.