1952 Map of Hite

About this map

Hite serves as the focal point of this river-cut landscape in the early 1950s, situated at the strategic junction where White Canyon meets the Colorado River. Before the waters of Lake Powell altered the topography, this survey documents the era of the Dandy Crossing (Ferry), one of the few places to traverse the canyon country. The map shows a region of early uranium exploration and isolated settlement, with the Happy Jack Mine and a local Airstrip indicating the growing industrial presence in the San Juan and Garfield County borderlands. The convergence of the Dirty Devil River and the Colorado at Mille Crag Bend highlights the dramatic drainage patterns of Glen Canyon and Cataract Canyon. Cultural history is noted by the presence of Petroglyphs and named landmarks like Grainery Rock, reflecting a long human connection to this high desert environment.