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1955 Map of Chinle 4 NE

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Chinle 4 NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Chinle serves as a vital hub within the Navajo Indian Reservation during the mid-1950s, situated at the dramatic meeting point of the Chinle Valley and the sandstone depths of Canyon De Chelly. This preliminary survey highlights a landscape where ancient history and modern utility coexist, showing the White House Ruins and other scattered ruins alongside a mid-century Landing Strip and a local Trading Post.

Water management is the defining human imprint on this arid terrain, evidenced by numerous windmills, tanks, and a system of levees following the Chinle Wash. The map also traces the 1868 Treaty boundary line, providing a geographical record of tribal sovereignty and land administration. From the Sand Dunes near Nazlini Wash to prominent landmarks like Blade Rock and Antelope Point, the map documents the natural and cultural features of the Canyon De Chelly National Monument before its later expansion and modernization.