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1912 Map of Soda Canyon

Name: 1912 Topographic Map of Soda Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Mesa Verde National Park is captured here during the era of its early documentation, showcasing a landscape deeply carved by river and canyon. The Mancos River winds through the heart of the terrain, separating the steep mesas from the Southern Ute Indian Reservation to the south. This 1912 survey preserves the exact locations of numerous ancestral sites including Cliff Palace, Sun Temple, and Sprucetree House Headquarters.

The presence of Waters Ranch and the early Government Road illustrate the sparse colonial-era infrastructure existing alongside these ancient structures. Beyond the famous dwellings, the map labels smaller sites like the Double Walled Tower and Inaccessible House, reflecting the intensive archaeological interest of the period. Topographical details like Battleship Rock and Moccasin Head provide a precise view of the drainage patterns of Chapin Mesa and Spruce Canyon.