1983 Map of Sonsela Buttes

About this map

Sonsela Buttes and the surrounding high-desert terrain dominate this 1980s landscape on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The geography is defined by a series of springs and seasonal watercourses, including Star Peak Springs, Oak Spring, and Crystal Creek, which carve through the land near Sonsela Saddle. Evidence of human activity is sparse but significant, marked by the small settlement at Milkwater and a lone site labeled Graves near the eastern boundary. The presence of a Borrow Pit and White Bridge suggests localized infrastructure supporting movement through the Black Salt Valley and Red Valley. The map also documents the intersection of state and county lines, where Arizona and New Mexico meet alongside the borders of Apache, San Juan, and McKinley counties, making it a critical reference for understanding the jurisdictional complexity of the Four Corners region during this era.