1954 Map of Stinking Springs Creek 4 SW

About this map

San Rafael Desert dominates this 1950s preliminary survey of Emery County, Utah, where high mesas drop sharply into vast arid basins. The topography is defined by the massive East Mesa, which occupies much of the western portion of the sheet, and the distinctive landmark of Wild Horse Butte. To the north, the isolated formation of Mollys Castle stands as a prominent navigational marker in an otherwise open landscape. Hydrology in this desert environment is sparse, centered on the drainage of Wild Horse Creek and isolated water sources like Buckskin Spring. This map was produced using aerial photography from the early 1950s, capturing the area before major modern developments altered the access to these remote geological features. The presence of Well Draw suggests the critical importance of water management and natural drainage paths for anyone traversing or ranching this portion of the Utah interior.