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1966 Map of Tanner Mesa

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Tanner Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Ute Mountain Indian Reservation defines this high-desert landscape in the late 1960s, where traditional land use and ancient history intersect with mid-century resource extraction. The map documents numerous Indian Ruins and a specific Cliff Dwelling tucked into the sandstone formations of Cowboy Mesa. These archaeological sites are interspersed with modern infrastructure, including several Oil Wells and the Chimney Rock Well, indicating the arrival of petroleum exploration in the canyon country.

Water is the central organizing force of the territory, with the Mancos River carving through the deep Mancos Canyon. The Mancos River Trading Post serves as a lone commercial landmark in the western reaches, while topographic features like Tanner Mesa and Chimney Rock dominate the vertical relief. Smaller drainages like Tanner Canyon and North Canyon feed into the river system, supporting the remote Tanner Reservoir and isolated water sources like Wing Spring.