1915 Map of Soda Canyon

About this map

The Mancos River carves a deep path through this 1910s landscape, dividing the high mesas of Mesa Verde National Park from the vast Southern Ute lands. This topographical study captures the canyon-country geography before modern tourism infrastructure, noting the exact positions of famous ancestral dwellings like Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Sprucetree House. The mapping detail extends south into the Ute Indian Reservation, where the terrain is marked by a network of drainage features like Johnson Canyon and Greasewood Canyon. Cultural landmarks such as the Double Walled Tower and Waters Ranch appear alongside early transit routes like the Government Road and the Ute Trail. The map provides a precise record of the Southwest's archaeological and ranching heritage, showing the relationship between these ancient sites and the rugged plateau system of Chapin Mesa and Moccasin Mesa.