1971 Map of St. Johns South

About this map

St Johns anchors the northwestern corner of this high-plateau landscape, where the Little Colorado River winds through a valley flanked by mesas and volcanic outcroppings. The irrigation and water management of the era are evident in the presence of Little Reservoir, reflecting the community's adaptation to this arid environment. Local industry and land use are marked by utilitarian sites like the Barrow Pits and a Gravel Pit, alongside a lone Prospect further into the broken terrain. A namesake landmark, Henry Platt Springs, points to the importance of natural water sources for early settlers and ranchers in this corner of Apache County. The map provides a clear picture of the boundary between established settlement and the open range as it existed in the early 1970s.