1953 Map of Los Gigantes NW

About this map

The Navajo Indian Reservation landscape is meticulously documented in this mid-century topographic study, which focuses on the intricate canyon systems and high plateau terrain of northeastern Arizona. The primary watercourse, Hasbidito Creek, snakes through the southwestern corner of the quadrangle, carving deep relief into the sandstone floor. This 1954 preliminary edition represents a specific moment in the federal mapping of the Southwest, produced from 1950 aerial photography before the completion of the wider 15-minute series. The map is defined by its extreme topographic detail, showing the complex drainage patterns and nameless mesas that characterize this part of the high desert, providing a precise look at the land's natural contours before later modern developments or road improvements in the region.