1979 Map of Meath Spring

About this map

The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor cuts through this high-country landscape, bridging the boundary between the Kaibab National Forest and the Prescott National Forest. This 1970s survey captures a transition in transportation history, where an Old Railroad Grade winds through the southwestern section near Limestone Canyon, distinct from the active mainline. The importance of water management in this arid environment is evident by the dense network of catchments like Meath Spring, Railroad Fill Tank, and Wash Out Tank. Landforms such as Big Black Mesa and the steep incisions of Hell Canyon dominate the topography, while industrial activity is marked by scattered Cinder Pit and Borrow Pit sites, likely supporting the maintenance of the nearby rail lines and roads.