1985 Map of Moab

About this map

The Colorado River winds through high desert plateaus and deeply incised canyons in the mid-1980s, framing the northern edge of Moab Valley. This era shows the community at a crossroads of industrial history and emerging tourism. To the north, the entrance to Arches National Park and features like Morning Glory Arch or Pritchett Natural Bridge signal the landscape's natural draw, while the presence of tailings near the riverbank serves as a literal mark of the region's uranium milling legacy. The town center is detailed with local landmarks including the Cem, the Moab Substation, and public works like the Sewage Disposal Plant. Geographic markers such as The Portal and Poison Spider Mesa define the western horizon, while reliable water sources like Matrimony Spring and Kings Bottom Spring illustrate the essential points of human settlement in this arid environment.