1949 Map of Joe Davis Hill

About this map

Mining operations for the United States Atomic Energy Commission define this high-desert landscape during the early Cold War uranium boom. The Dolores River cuts a deep path through the center of the sheet, flanked by the steep slopes of Joe Davis Hill and the dramatic topography of Blue Canyon. Local resource extraction is evident at the Norma Jean Mine and Spud Patch Camp, while more remote claims like the Sarah Ellen Mine and Mucho Grande Mine appear across the rugged terrain. To the south and west, the map details the boundaries of the Uncompahgre National Forest and San Juan National Forest, where water management features like Sand Rock Reservoir and Sawmill Spring supported land use near the San Miguel and Dolores County line. The northeastern corner transitions into the open expanse of Disappointment Valley, illustrating the varied geological character of this Colorado backcountry.