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1960 Map of Moab

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Moab
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

Moab serves as the focal point for this expansive look at the canyonlands and high plateaus of eastern Utah and western Colorado during the late 1950s. The landscape is defined by the deep incisions of the Colorado River and Dolores River, alongside the industrial presence of Uravan and Naturita, which were centers for mining uranium and vanadium at the height of the Cold War. Transportation across this demanding terrain relies on the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad and routes like Utah 128.

The map reveals the striking transition from the red rock formations of Arches National Monument and Fisher Towers to the high alpine peaks of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, including Mount Peale and Mount Waas. In Colorado, the Uncompahgre Plateau dominates the eastern half, punctuated by isolated agricultural pockets in the Paradox Valley and Sinbad Valley. Smaller settlements like Sego and Gateway are documented here, providing a record of rural outposts before the modern era of large-scale tourism.