1892 Map of Fort Defiance

About this map

Fort Defiance serves as the focal point of this reconnaissance of northeastern Arizona, surveyed just years before the turn of the century. The landscape is defined by the critical junction of water and transport, with the Atlantic and Pacific RR tracing the course of the Rio Puerco through the southern portion of the territory. This rail corridor established a lifeline for small stops like Sanders, Navajo Springs, and Allantown, while the interior remains a vast expanse of high desert terrain marked by landmarks such as Salahkai Mesa and Zilh Tusayan Butte. The map clearly delineates the Navajo Indian Res. Line, showing the early administrative organization of the region. Local supply points like the Store near Allantown and reliable water sources such as Jacobs Well and Tanners Spring highlight the essential infrastructure for travelers and early settlers in this arid environment.