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1959 Map of Cross Roads

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Cross Roads
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The Colorado River serves as the central artery and political boundary for this desert landscape, dividing the Whipple Mountains to the northwest from the Buckskin Mountains to the southeast. At the heart of the quadrangle lies Cross Roads, a settlement situated near the riverbanks and the expansive Empire Flat. This mid-century survey reveals a corridor defined by intense mineral exploration and early regional transport, as evidenced by a network of Jeep Trails connecting scattered desert outposts.

Industrial history is written into the mountain slopes, where numerous operations like the Billy Mack Mine, Gray Eagle Mine, and Carnation Mine indicate a legacy of copper or gold prospecting. Further south along the river, Cienega Springs provides a focal point for settlement near the Colorado River Indian Reservation Boundary. The survey also documents family-named landmarks and peaks, including Giers Mountain and Black Peak, which anchored the local geography before major modern development.