1886 Map of Kanab

About this map

Kanab and the high plateaus of southern Utah appear here in a foundational survey by the Powell Survey. The landscape is defined by the massive geologic staircase of the Pink Cliffs, White Cliffs, and Vermilion Cliffs, which separate the high Markagunt Plateau from the canyon lands below. Early Mormon settlements such as Orderville and Mt. Carmel are established along the Kanab Creek and the Virgin River drainage, while Panguitch serves as a hub near the headwaters of the Sevier River. The map highlights a critical era of colonization and ranching, showing isolated outposts like Upper Kanab and Hillsdale. Significant natural landmarks, including Brian Head and the now-diminished Little Salt Lake in the Parowan Valley, provide essential reference points for early travelers and surveyors navigating this complex terrain.