1937 Map of Rattlesnake

About this map

The Navajo Indian Reservation dominates this landscape in the mid-1930s, centered on the braided channels and wide bends of the San Juan River. In the northwest corner, the unique convergence of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona is clearly marked at the Four Corners monument. The area is characterized by a sparse settlement pattern connected by early roads, with the community of Rattlesnake situated in the southeast and Bitlabito to the west. Topographical details reveal a complex network of ephemeral drainage systems such as Tohdilo Wash, Red Wash, and Little Ship Rock Wash that carve through the high plateau. The map also captures the confluence where the Mancos River enters from the north, illustrating the vital role of water sources in this arid desert region.