1953 Map of Hall Mesa

About this map

The Waterpocket Fold dominates this mid-century landscape of the Colorado Plateau, where high mesas and deep canyons define the border between Garfield and Kane counties. This 1953 survey captures the area when cattle ranching and early petroleum exploration were the primary activities. Evidence of these pursuits appears at Baker Ranch and a remote Oil Well (Aban'd) near Middle Point. Movement across this difficult terrain was limited to a few established paths, including the Trail crossing at Hall Divide and various Jeep Trails that provided access to features like Big Thomson Mesa and Hall Mesa. Water remains the most critical resource in this arid environment, marked by isolated points like Clay Seep, Fountain Tanks, and the seasonal flow of Halls Creek through Halls Gulch.