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1960 Map of Slick Rock

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Slick Rock
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The Dolores River winds through this 1960 survey of San Miguel County, carving a dramatic serpentine path through a landscape defined by uranium and vanadium mining. This era was the height of the regional mining boom, evidenced by the dense cluster of claims such as the Joe Dandy Mine, Bachelor Mine, and the Peanut No 3 Mine scattered across Monogram Mesa and the Grassy Hills. Small residential hubs and camps supported the industry, including Bachelor Camp and the isolated Indian Henrys Cabin.

Beyond the mining activity, the map details the vast Big Gypsum Valley and the intricate drainage systems of Gypsum Creek and McIntyre Canyon. Ranching and early settlement traces appear at Silveys Pocket and Poverty Flat. An Airstrip on the mesa top and a Pipeline running through Morrison Canyon illustrate the infrastructure required to service these remote industrial outposts during the mid-century resource rush.