1978 Map of Cone Butte

About this map

The Fort Apache Indian Reservation landscape is defined by its network of springs and stock tanks across the high country of Gila County. This late-1970s record showcases a region managed for ranching and water resources, centered on the R-14 Ranch in the north and the prominent Cone Butte to the south. The mapping detail reflects a reliance on local water sources, with curiously named features such as Bad Luck Spring, Dead Cow Tank, and Shower Spring scattered along the drainages of Cedar Creek and Calf Creek. Jeep trails serve as the primary arteries through the varied terrain, connecting remote points like Louse Flat to established watering holes like Cemetery Tank and Rim Tank. The map provides a look at the infrastructure of the reservation before modern developments, preserving the nomenclature of the era's land use.