1954 Map of Tidwell Bottoms

About this map

San Rafael River currents carve through the heart of this mid-century landscape, defining the lush Tidwell Bottoms where water access once supported isolated outposts like Gillies Ranch. To the west, the formidable San Rafael Reef stands as a massive natural barrier, separating the river valley from the arid expanse of Sinbad Country. This survey captures the region just as modern hydrological monitoring was establishing a footprint, evidenced by the Gaging Sta and a network of remote watering points such as Moonshine Tanks and Hatt Reservoir.