Western Geology Maps

This map, produced under the direction of Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden in 1881, was a crucial tool in the scientific exploration and development of the American West, providing one of the most detailed early surveys of western Colorado and Utah, aiding in geological studies, resource assessment, and territorial expansion.

The 1880s marked the decline of the frontier, with railroads, mining, and settlement driving rapid transformation.

Hayden’s surveys played a crucial role in shaping public understanding of the Western frontier, influencing land use, conservation, and scientific study.