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1936 Map of Chimney Rock

Name: 1936 Topographic Map of Chimney Rock
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1936
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1936

About this map

The San Juan River and the Chaco River converge in this high-desert landscape of the mid-1930s, documenting a critical intersection of indigenous lands and early resource development. The settlement of Ship Rock serves as a primary hub within the Navajo Indian Reservation, while the northeastern corner of the map touches the Southern Ute Indian Reservation at the Colorado-New Mexico border. This period captures the early industrial footprint of the region, including the Agency Coal Mine and a network of water management features like the Irrigation Ditch systems near the riverbanks.

Prominent geologic landmarks such as Chimney Rock and the massive ridge known as The Hogback provide a backdrop for early transportation routes. The Old Mormon Trail cuts across the northern desert, contrasting with the more modern State Highway 666. Detailed terrain features, including Thieving Rock, Popping Rock, and Yellow Butte, highlight the importance of distinct landforms for navigation and local history in this expansive region.