1954 Map of Paria Plateau SE

About this map

Joes Ranch provides a rare point of human habitation in this mid-century survey of the high desert terrain. Located on the Paria Plateau, the landscape is defined by its isolation and the necessity of water management, evidenced by the presence of several Ponds and the expanse of Soap Creek Pasture. A primitive network of Jeep Trails snakes through the high country, connecting the ranch to natural landmarks like Mexican Sink and the prominent elevation of Red Butte. The map captures a moment when this region was primarily utilized for cattle grazing within the wide basins of Round Valley and the seasonal drainages of Soap Creek. These 1954 mapping efforts utilized multiplex methods from aerial photography, detailing the subtle contours of the Sand hills and the isolated Knoll formations that rise above the plateau floor.