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1949 Map of Davis Mesa

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Davis Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The United States Atomic Energy Commission collaborated on this 1940s survey, highlighting the industrial priority of the region's mineral wealth. A dense concentration of mining operations sits east of Paradox Valley, with named sites such as the Tramp No 2 Mine, Tripod Mine, and Coloradium Mine illustrating the post-war uranium and vanadium boom. These workings are clustered along Long Park Road, providing a clear record of the transportation network required to service the canyon country's remote extraction points.

The topographic character is defined by the carved path of the Dolores River and the steep escarpments of Martin Mesa and Davis Mesa. Water sources in this arid landscape are meticulously marked, from the Water Tank near the Gaging Sta to natural points like Stone Spring 5072 and Spring 5438. These labels, alongside terrain features like Saucer Basin and Hieroglyphic Canyon, offer a precise look at the geography before modern development altered the footprint of these historic mining districts.