1885 Map of San Rafael

About this map

The San Rafael Swell dominates this 1885 landscape, a geological upheaval defined by the early work of the Powell Survey. This era of western exploration is captured through the winding courses of the San Rafael River and Fremont River, showing the region before the arrival of modern infrastructure. The map records the early outposts of Tidwell and Blake in the north, while the southern reaches are anchored by the high peaks of the Henry Mountains, including Mt Ellen. Along the eastern edge, the Green River carves its way through the intricate geography of Labyrinth Canyon and past the dramatic Orange Cliffs. The surveyor's work highlights the natural drainage patterns of Barrier Creek, Bowl Creek, and Lewis Creek, reflecting a moment when the topography of these Utah counties was first being systematically measured and named.