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1973 Map of Cathedral Caves

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Cathedral Caves
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Big Black Mesa dominates the southern half of this mid-1970s survey, a massive high-elevation plateau overlooking the complex drainages of Eightmile Creek and Partridge Creek. The landscape transition is marked by geological and archaeological points of interest, including the namesake Cathedral Caves and the prominent height of Smith Butte. Water management in this arid Yavapai County terrain is evident through numerous stock tanks like Little Pineveta Tank and Williscraft Tank, supporting the local ranching economy.

Transportation corridors define the northern section, where an Old Railroad Grade runs parallel to more modern infrastructure. The A T & S F railroad route and multiple pipelines cross the county line between Coconino and Yavapai. This map serves as a detailed record of the land before significant modern development, showing the tracks of the Jeep Trail and various prospects that speak to the area's history of mineral exploration.