1998 Map of Hamilton Crossing

About this map

Sitgreaves National Forest and Coconino National Forest meet in this high-altitude landscape, where the plateaus of Blue Ridge Black Mesa give way to deep drainage systems. The map documents a sparse but deliberate network of ranching and land management infrastructure at the close of the twentieth century. Named family sites like Whitted Place and Echinique Place WT highlight the history of high-country grazing, supported by dozens of engineered water sources such as Surprise Tank and Stewart Tank. The namesake Hamilton Crossing sits on the western edge near the descent into the Clear Creek canyon. This topography is defined by its seasonal hydrology, where broad features like Echinique Draw and Tillman Draw channel water across the forest floor toward permanent drainages like Willow Creek. The presence of Tillman Road and numerous wind-powered wells, including the Ellsworth WT Well, points to the logistical effort required to maintain a presence in this remote Arizona interior.