1953 Map of Tidwell 3 NW

About this map

San Rafael and the surrounding Desert landscape define this 1953 topographic study, which captures the stark hydrology of the Emery County region. The map reveals a reliance on isolated water sources such as Crows Nest Spring and Cottonwood Spring, which served as critical landmarks for travelers and ranchers in an otherwise arid environment. The deeply incised drainage of Cottonwood Wash snakes through the center of the sheet, illustrating the erosive forces that shaped the local topography. This preliminary edition, produced just after the mid-century using aerial photography, documents a period before significant modern development altered the drainage patterns. It provides a foundational record of the natural terrain, identifying small but vital features like a marked Seep that would be essential for anyone navigating the backcountry of the Utah desert during this era.