1971 Map of Square Mountain

About this map

Catlow Valley dominates this high-desert landscape in southeastern Oregon, revealing a region defined by its critical water sources and livestock heritage in the early 1970s. The map illustrates the harsh geography of the Basque Hills and Raz Lewis Flat, where names like Bass Haines Place and McDade Cache hint at the individuals who worked this arid terrain. The stark verticality of Catlow Rim separates the valley floor from the heights of Square Mountain, while localized water features such as Lee Morris Spring, Shipley Spring, and Rock Knoll Reservoir represent the lifeblood of the local ranching economy. The presence of Ruins and scattered Gravel Pits reflects the transitory nature of development in this remote corner of Harney County, where much of the travel was still relegated to a Jeep Tr.