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1966 Map of Georges Butte

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Georges Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Black River carves a winding path through the center of this landscape, acting as a natural divider between the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and the San Carlos Indian Reservation. The terrain is defined by the high, broad expanse of the Natanes Plateau and sharp descents into watercourses like Deer Creek and Kidde Canyon. Navigation through this isolated country is primarily restricted to a single Jeep Trail, illustrating the rugged, undeveloped nature of the reservation interior in the mid-1960s.

Water management is the most visible sign of human activity here, with numerous livestock tanks and wells such as Georges Butte Tank, Foreman Well, and Pole Corral Tank scattered across the ridges. These features, along with names like Lost Mule Tank and Acorn Tank, suggest a landscape utilized for seasonal grazing and range management. Small rapids punctuate the river's flow, emphasizing the steep gradients and the remote character of this Gila County frontier.