Loading map...

1950 Map of Joe Davis Hill

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Joe Davis Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

The Dolores River carves a dramatic path through this high-altitude landscape on the boundary of San Miguel and Dolores counties. Published in conjunction with the United States Atomic Energy Commission, the map reveals an active post-war mining environment in the late 1940s. Several specific claims are noted along the river bluffs and canyons, including the Sarah Ellen Mine, Uncle Sam Mine, and Mucho Grande Mine.

Settlement is sparse, anchored by the Spud Patch Camp in the western reaches near Blue Canyon. The terrain is defined by its water management and forestry, with the Uncompahgre National Forest and San Juan National Forest meeting here. Notable water features such as the Bell Canyon Reservoir, Wilson Reservoir, and Quakie Spring suggest the importance of water rights in this arid plateau region, where travel was limited to rugged paths like Rock Road.