1959 Map of Cortez

About this map

Mesa Verde National Park and the surrounding Four Corners region define this 1959 survey, revealing a landscape of high plateaus and deep canyons at the height of the mid-century Cold War mining boom. While ancient archaeological sites are protected within Hovenweep National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument, the contemporary economy is marked by industrial activity, specifically the extraction of Uranium and Vanadium. The map documents the sprawling Navajo Indian Reservation and Ute Mountain Indian Reservation, showing the interaction between federal lands and sovereign tribal territories. Water management is critical in this arid environment, evidenced by the San Juan River and Groundhog Reservoir. Settlements like Cortez, Monticello, and Blanding serve as regional hubs connected by a developing network including Us 160 and Us 666, facilitating both the mining industry and early automotive tourism to the region's monuments.