1971 Map of Wide Ruins

About this map

The Navajo Indian Reservation landscape shown here in the early 1970s is defined by a remote network of springs, wells, and seasonal washes. The settlement at Wide Ruins serves as a central hub, anchored by its Trading Post and proximity to essential water sources like Pigeon Spring and Lichee Sinil Spring. The topography is marked by significant elevation changes, from the heights of Oak Ridge down to the named drainage of Bent Knee. Scattered across the terrain, family-named landmarks and infrastructure such as the Autsidy Smith Well and Tom Joe Spring indicate the localized nature of pastoral life and water management in this part of Apache County. The presence of a Gravel Pit, Sandpit, and several Prospect locations suggests intermittent mineral extraction or road-building activity within the arid environment. Numerous trails and jeep tracks crisscross the Red Hills, providing the primary means of navigation through the breaks and washes.