1953 Map of Red Plateau SW

About this map

San Rafael River carves through the heart of this Central Utah landscape, defining a region of intense geologic relief within the Swell. The 1952 aerial surveys captured a terrain dominated by massive formations such as Bottleneck Peak, Window Blind Peak, and the cathedral-like Assembly Hall. This preliminary edition map preserves the early industrial footprint of the era, specifically recording Oil Well Test Holes (Aban) that mark mid-century petroleum exploration efforts on the plateau. Drainage patterns are meticulously detailed through Buckhorn Wash and Cane Wash, illustrating the complex hydrology of the Limestone Bench and the high promontory of The Wedge. Isolated water sources, including a named Well and Seep, provide critical landmarks in a desert environment where topography dictated movement and resource access.