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1957 Map of Grand Canyon

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Grand Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Colorado River carves its way through the high desert of northern Arizona on this mid-century topographic record. The map details the transition from the Kaibab Plateau down into the immense depth of the Grand Canyon, showing the complex network of side drainages like Kanab Creek and Bright Angel Creek. This era of documentation reveals a landscape of isolated homesteads and livestock operations, such as Diamond Butte Ranch and the Sullivan Ranch, highlighting the rugged existence of ranchers in the Strip.

While natural landmarks like the Shiva Temple and Vishnu Temple dominate the interior of Grand Canyon National Park, the western portion of the sheet focuses on the plateau ranching culture. Settlements like Littlefield and Fredonia stand as small hubs of activity, while many others, such as the Pressley Ranch, are noted as abandoned. Industrial interests appear via the Black Diamond Mine (Magnesium), showing early mineral exploration in the Beaver Dam Mountains.