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1966 Map of Wetherill Mesa

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Wetherill Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

Mesa Verde National Park and the adjacent Ute Mountain Indian Reservation define this landscape of deeply incised canyons and high mesas. The 1966 field survey identifies a concentration of ancient habitation sites across Wetherill Mesa, including Mug House, Step House, and Long House. These archaeological sites are interspersed with natural landmarks like Pictograph Point and Pulpit Rock, reflecting a terrain where human history and geology are inextricably linked.

Beyond the well-known cliff dwellings, the map reveals the mid-century infrastructure supporting the park and the reservation. Features such as the Navajo Watch Tower, various Water Tanks, and the Mesa Verde Mine on the North Rim provide insight into resource management and tourism during the 1960s. The dense network of seasonal drainages, including Navajo Canyon and Wicklup Canyon, illustrates the complex topography that historically provided both defense and vital water sources like Rock Springs for the area's inhabitants.